Legendary former AC Milan defender Alessandro Costacurta feels that Inter were the outstanding team in Serie A last season despite failing to win the title and that Romelu Lukaku’s return will make them even stronger.

Speaking to Italian news outlet TuttoMercatoWeb, Costacurta predicted that the arrival of Lukaku will strengthen the Nerazzurri’s claim as favourites for the Scudetto.

Inter missed out on the Serie A title by two points over the season just gone, with city rivals AC Milan showing more consistency in the decisive moments to clinch the title on the final day.

However, the style of play shown by the Nerazzurri at times during the campaign made them favourites to win it in many observers’ eyes, something which could continue to be the case going into the upcoming season.

One thing lacked at times last season compared to the prior one in which Inter won the title was a lethal goalscorer such as Lukaku, and in getting the Belgian back the Nerazzurri could get the missing piece needed to dominate the Italian top flight.

Asked whether he believes Inter are title favourites with Lukaku, Costacurta replied “Yes, I think they also were last season. Inter were the strongest team last season, and with Lukaku the gap with the others is widening.”