Inter Milan GM Beppe Marotta admits selling Andre Onana to Manchester United was too good an opportunity to refuse.
Having signed Onana on a free transfer from Ajax last year, Inter sold him to United for a fee rising to €60m.
Marotta told Radio Serie A: "When a player is requested by a richer club, it's difficult to keep him. It's not possible to give up certain sums from Italian clubs.
"Onana had arrived on a free transfer with a great intuition from (Piero) Ausilio and left for more than 50 million, with a doubled salary.
"We couldn't compete and at the same time we found alternatives. We now need strong scouting, to find alternatives role by high-level role and be ready for any eventuality."