Inter could only sign Sergej Milinkovic-Savic before the transfer window shut if Lazio agreed to an initial loan deal, according to Tuttosport.

Antonio Conte has asked the club for one last financial sacrifice this summer, requesting a right-sided central midfielder who could provide physicality and a handful of goals.

Milinkovic-Savic is the Nerazzurri’s preferred option according to this template and they would be ready to move for him as soon as an opportunity arose.

However, Lazio would have to accept a deal similar to the ones Inter agreed with Sassuolo for Matteo Politano and Stefano Sensi, with an expensive initial loan followed by an option to buy.

Inter are hoping to bring in some money in the next fortnight by selling Mauro Icardi, for whom Beppe Marotta has set an asking price in the region of €80 million.

Maurito’s departure would not change the scenario as far as Milinkovic-Savic is concerned, though, because those funds would be needed to cover the investments Inter have already made on Romelu Lukaku and Nicolo Barella.

Milinkovic-Savic remains a key figure for Simone Inzaghi’s side and is unlikely to be sacrificed without a huge transfer fee in return.