Inter’s last minute attempt to sign Gervinho from Parma was because of Inter manager Antonio Conte according to a report in today’s print edition of Italian daily newspaper Tuttosport.

Inter and Parma opened negotiations over a potential loan swap deal which would have seen Gervinho and Andrea Pinamonti exchanged on a loan basis until the end of the 2020/21 season.

The two clubs were ultimately unable to come to an agreement though and both the experienced Ivorian and young Italian are still with their respective clubs.

The report from the Turin based news outlet explains that Conte had asked for Gervinho to be signed as he wanted a striker who was fast enough to be able to unblock matches.

This season Gervinho has made three appearances across all competitions to date but the former Arsenal and Roma player has failed to make any goal contributions in his time on the park as of yet. Pinamonti has meanwhile not made any appearances.