Inter are within touching distance of completing a deal to sign Alexis Sanchez on loan, according to FcInterNews.it.

The Nerazzurri were again in contact this morning with the forward’s agent Fernando Felicevich, who spent half an hour talking to Manchester United on their behalf.

Beppe Marotta and Piero Ausilio want to finalise the deal for Sanchez within 48 hours so he can make the bench for Monday’s first Serie A fixture against Lecce.

The Chilean has already chosen the no. 7 shirt to wear in Milan, telling friends and family he cannot wait to return to Italy.

Sanchez will join Inter on loan with an option to buy for €15 million, but the clubs still have a few details to sort.

Inter want the season-long loan to be free of charge while United want €1-2 million up front, a sum they would use to cover part of Sanchez’s wages.

Sanchez was supposed to lose €3 million off his salary this year following United’s failure to qualify for the Champions League, but the 30-year-old has no intention of giving it up.

He has already agreed to take a €1.5 million cut to help Inter push through a deal and wants his parent club to recognise their original agreement.

Inter will pay Sanchez €4-4.5 million this season, the same figure they offered Edin Dzeko before he renewed his contract with Roma.

The Nerazzurri are for this reason optimistic a deal will be finalised soon, with Antonio Conte anxiously awaiting a fresh reinforcement in attack.