Romelu Lukaku’s exclusion from Manchester United’s preseason friendly against Leeds was the beginning of an ‘exit process’ that will take the striker to Inter, according to Sky Sports News.

The Red Devils’ manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told the club’s in-house TV channel before the match that Lukaku was left out because he had picked up a knock in training.

However, Sky today insisted there was more to it than that, assuring Lukaku’s absence was ‘the signal of an impending departure’.

“Lukaku’s omission comes with Inter expected to make a new offer of £60m plus bonuses for the striker this week,” they explained.

“The proposal, which Inter hope would be structured over two or three years, is for a permanent deal with bonuses designed to help the Serie A club get closer to United’s valuation.

“The new offer is an improvement on Inter’s initial two-year loan request with instalments of £9m, £27m and £27m to be paid in consecutive years.”

Piero Ausilio met United officials in London last week and was told Inter would have to pay more than the £79 million (€88 million) Lukaku was signed for back in 2017.

Today’s news marks a significant development in the Nerazzurri’s pursuit for the Belgian, however, enabling the club to proceed with renewed optimism just when hope was starting to fade.