Roberto Gagliardini today played down rumours he could join Lazio if the Biancoceleste sold Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.

Corriere della Sera last week suggested Simone Inzaghi would prioritise the Inter midfielder as a replacement for the Serbian, who is likely to leave this summer.

Gagliardini told Corriere dello Sport he wasn’t thinking about a move to the capital and talked up Inter’s chances of having a great season.

“We shouldn’t place any limits on what we can do this season, like Antonio Conte has said,” the Italian said.

“He’s a proven winner, we’re building a strong team and we have the ambition to enjoy a great year. We’re not thinking about Juventus though, it’s better to concentrate on ourselves.”

Gagliardini had more words of praise for Conte thereafter and reflected positively on Saturday’s defeat to Manchester United.

“Conte has immediately made it clear to us what he wants,” the midfielder continued.

“He demands a lot but he also gives you a lot back. I’m very happy working with him: the training sessions are intense but we knew that would be the case.

“We struggled a little against United but that’s normal when you’re playing such a strong team. We were beaten by a goal from a set piece but we were organised and pressed them well.

“We’ll improve with time and you’ll begin to see that already against Juventus on Wednesday.”

Inter will face the Bianconeri in Suning’s home city of Nanjing after departing Singapore yesterday.