Romelu Lukaku has reported early for pre-season training with Manchester United, despite the continuing uncertainty over his future at Old Trafford.

The Belgium striker was not expected back in training until Wednesday as he was among a pool of players who have been granted some additional time off owing to their involvement in post-season internationals.

Yet Lukaku decided to report for duty on Monday morning instead as he bids to hit the ground running ahead of the new season.

Inter Milan are hoping to sign Lukaku after the Italian club’s new coach, Antonio Conte, made him his primary summer transfer target.

United are braced for an opening offer from Inter that would involve a proposal to loan Lukaku for two seasons for around £9 million before a guaranteed purchase of a further £53.7 million. The offer is likely to be rejected but it is expected to kickstart a negotiation process.

United and Inter are due to face each other in Singapore on July 20 but whether a deal can be struck before then will hinge on the Italian club making an acceptable financial offer.

Inter ideally need to sell Mauro Icardi to free up cash and space on the wage bill for Lukaku but the controversial Argentina striker is so far proving difficult to shift and, with United reluctant to do a swap deal, Inter are exploring alternative ways to try to facilitate a deal for the Belgian.