Chelsea hope to sell Romelu Lukaku as quickly as possible - but the Blues still want £34million in exchange for his services.
The Belgian striker isn't part of new boss Mauricio Pochettino's plans at Stamford Bridge, having spent last season on loan at Inter Milan. It was Inter who Chelsea signed him from for what was then a club-record £97.5m fee, but now they're willing to take a significant loss in order to shift him permanently this summer.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, as translated by Sport Witness, Lukaku is in no doubt that the Blues want rid of him, with his situation being described as an 'endless quarrel', yet they won't let him leave on the cheap or on loan again. Chelsea's price is even proving too difficult for Inter at present, despite the Champions League finalists' public desire to re-sign him.
Rivals AC Milan had been interested in a move but the Belgium international, 30, chose to reject the Rossoneri because of his love for Inter, forged over two spells. Lukaku also snubbed a lucrative contract offer from Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal, with a three-year deal on the table.
Still, it appears that his preference is to rejoin the Nerazzurri, leaving Chelsea frustrated as they reportedly want to offload him as soon as they can. It's added in the Italian newspaper that Inter are well aware of their role as the potential solution and plan to use it in any negotiations in an effort to drive the Blues' price down.
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Following their Champions League final defeat to Manchester City earlier this month, club president Steven Zhang made it clear that he's determined to broker a deal with Chelsea. Despite Lukaku missing a series of chances in the bruising loss, Zhang declared: "He showed great attachment to Inter.
"He loves Inter, that's very clear. He's an amazing guy. But the guy has a contract with Chelsea, so we have to wait to talk to them to understand."
The 30-year-old himself has also strongly hinted that he'd like to return to San Siro. "I think I did well at Chelsea last season. But I knew then that if it didn't work out at Chelsea, I would still have Inter available," Lukaku HLN in May. "When I re-signed, I knew I belong here. I also have this feeling regarding [former club] Anderlecht. I take this club seriously."
His lawyer, Sebastien Ledure, recently laid out the situation by telling Italian media: "There are no talks ongoing with AC Milan, Romelu wants to stay in Europe and confirmed this by not going to Saudi Arabia. Chelsea's position is that interested clubs have to present a firm offer. Inter have the ball in their court"
