Welcome to the football.london transfer briefing. To help you keep on top of all things Chelsea going on in the market we've got the latest noises coming from social media, journalists and so-called ITKs, rounding up what's what in the world of the Blues.
Lukaku bids and price
Chelsea have named their price for Romelu Lukaku this summer after his future was elevated to prominence once again. The Belgian has been called into a meeting publicly by Mauricio Pochettino after the new boss was asked about the plans ahead of an uncertain summer.
Now, Chelsea have rejected an initial bid of £25.6million ($32.8m) for the player from Inter, who wish to sign him permanently. Meanwhile, Chelsea are said to be holding out for at least £38million ($48.7m) with both Juventus and clubs from the Saudi Pro League in talks.
Lukaku had initially turned down the chance to move to the Middle East but as his options became apparent, seems to have mellowed to the move and it is seen as a real possibility. The Blues, meanwhile, will continue to hold out for their price but aren't willing to let him go on loan again.
football.london says: This is it, Todd Boehly. The Chelsea owner is not being held to ransom but has also shown that he is being more flexible compared to the previous regime. Pochettino made it clear that Lukaku's return ahead of pre-season was far from certain and for all parties, not engaging for the sake of it is a massive positive.
Whereas Chelsea would previously be looking to recoup loan fees little and often for a player in Lukaku's situation, the new owners are happy to take the financial hit in order to best accommodate for their new manager. However, if they are to hold out for such a price, the prospect of Lukaku's future dragging on into the summer is raised.
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At present it would be remarkable if he played any sort of role in pre-season but the pressure is a strange thing and how Chelsea deal with this and how quickly will be a defining moment of the upcoming window and season.
Pochettino wanted to keep Mount
Mauricio Pochettino didn't get things his way when it comes to Mason Mount, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Argentine is said to have been keen on keeping the midfielder at the club and even held talks with the player to try and reverse the damage done by contract issues.
No such agreement was forthcoming, though, and Pochettino now has to work in pre-season with a depleted midfield without the two-time player of the season under his wing.
Mount is now a Manchester United player and has been angering Chelsea fans with his passion over a move to Old Trafford, meanwhile, Conor Gallagher and Enzo Fernandez are left as the only two remaining senior midfielders at the club. With Moises Caicedo the main man set to come in, Pochettino's plan has taken a hit.
football.london says: Chelsea never wanted to lose Mason Mount and, depending on who you listen to, Mount didn't plan to leave Chelsea. The circumstances that have unfolded have not looked good for anyone and Pochettino will surely have known just how much of a challenge keeping Mount was going to be.
In the end he is now setting the standards of only keeping players that truly want to be at the club and if Mount had his heart set on United as much as it is seemingly like, then parting ways at this stage makes sense for a fee of £60million ($77m).
