Tottenham could accidentally help Chelsea finally solve the future of Romelu Lukaku. The 28-year-old has been linked with an exit from Chelsea this summer after struggling to acclimatise to life back in the Premier League.
The Belgium international found the net just 17 times in 44 appearances this season, failing to warrant the entirety of his record-breaking £97.5million switch. And, his overriding misfortune in front of goal saw him relegated to the bench, with Kai Havertz often preferred in a false-nine role.
Lukaku, who is now valued at around £59million by CIES Football Observatory, has split with his agent in an attempt to push through a transfer away from Chelsea, according to the Mirror. The striker is claimed to have turned to lawyer Sebastien Ledure, who is said to already be in negotiations with Inter director Beppe Marotta over a potential return to Inter Milan, albeit an unlikely prospect at present.
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That is due to the Nerazzurri's uncertain financial situation which could play a major role in deciding the future of Alessandro Bastoni. The 23-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer, with Antonio Conte eager to bolster his side and sustain Spurs' Champions League place.
football.london understand that the Italian giants won't accept anything less than £51million for the centre-half. This follows reports claiming that Inter are serious about bringing Lukaku back.
The Mirror outline that the Italian side are planning to spend £20m on a loan fee for the first year, with a fixed price of around £65m written into the deal for the Belgian to sign permanently in 2023.
Therefore, if Spurs break the bank and sign Bastoni, the north Londoners could be handing Chelsea a blessing in disguise. Especially with Thomas Tuchel keen to rebuild the Blues' frontline after a disappointing season in front of goal.
Speaking to football.london earlier this month, the Blues boss said: "We are rebuilding, not improving the squad. We are rebuilding. This is always challenging, but we are up for the challenge.
"I don't know where we are from day one. What I can promise is that I will be here – if I can promise that – I will be here with full energy and positive energy no matter what. We will still work for Chelsea, and I refuse to think of negative scenarios. We will be competitive, on which level we will see."
