Inter’s hierarchy have implored Antonio Conte to be ‘more patient than ever before’ as they look to revive their summer recruitment campaign, according to La Repubblica.

The Nerazzurri’s management met for a transfer summit in Suning’s home city of Nanjing yesterday afternoon, before enjoying dinner with the first team.

Conte wants Inter to sign both Romelu Lukaku and Edin Dzeko up front, but he was informed this was currently very difficult to pull off.

The paper reported: “During the long meeting at which Steven Zhang, Beppe Marotta, Alessandro Antonello, Piero Ausilio, and Gabriele Oriali were all present, Conte was told that while Inter will do a lot they cannot do everything.”

Signing Lukaku appears to be a pipe dream at the moment as Manchester United remain firm on their €85 million asking price.

Inter are therefore looking for an alternative player to play alongside Lautaro Martinez and Dzeko, whose move to San Siro is being blocked by Gonzalo Higuain’s reluctance to join Roma.

Lille forward Rafael Leao costs €40 million and represents the most serious candidate to ‘replace’ Lukaku, although various European clubs have been linked with the 20-year-old.

Juventus sporting director Fabio Paratici has flown to Singapore this week, where the Bianconeri are on their preseason tour, to persuade Higuain to move to Roma.

Pipita is the Giallorossi’s chosen replacement for Dzeko and would enable Inter to sign the 33-year-old if he changed his mind.