Reports in Italy claim Inter contacted Lazio coach Simone Inzaghi, as Antonio Conte is not prepared to stay with a downgraded squad.

Conte won the Scudetto with several weeks to spare, but the financial crisis at Suning has overshadowed the celebrations.

There are multiple reports today that Conte will not accept the new terms, which include selling players to raise €80-100m and cutting all wages by 20 per cent.

The race is on to find a replacement, and while Max Allegri had been on the radar considering his experience with former Juventus director Beppe Marotta, it seems he too is out of Inter’s current budget.

Instead, Tuttomercatoweb and Sempre Inter both insist the Nerazzurri already contacted Inzaghi on Monday.

It was not a proposal as such, but an exploratory call to understand the situation, especially after Inzaghi railed against Lazio on Sunday evening for keeping him waiting 18 months over a new contract.

Inzaghi would be an intriguing option to replace Conte, as both use a 3-5-2 formation, while at Lazio he has achieved strong results despite a very thin squad.

Meanwhile, Inzaghi is set for showdown talks with Lazio President Claudio Lotito and director Igli Tare today.