With Romelu Lukaku appearing set for a move to Chelsea, Inter have been warned that they will only be able to reinvest a small portion of any fee in a replacement striker.
As reported in today’s newspaper edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Belgium international is being targeted by his former club and they are in a rush to complete a deal ahead of the new Premier League season, starting next weekend.
Inter are also hoping to conclude a sale quickly in order to find a replacement and allow coach Simone Inzaghi time to work with his new striker.
However, a deal struck with investment firm Oaktree Capital earlier this year to ease the financial woes at the club will see the Nerazzurri face restrictions on the amount they can spend on a new player.
Despite the sale of Lukaku expected to bring in more than €100 million, the terms of the deal with Oaktree will limit Inter to spending no more than €40m on a replacement, effectively ruling out a move for Fiorentina star Dusan Vlahovic.
Directors Beppe Marotta and Piero Ausilio have begun the search for a new attacker but the strict financial limits may significantly hamper their efforts.