Chelsea have taken a huge step towards finally finding a new club for Romelu Lukaku. The 29-year-old striker has been heavily linked with an exit from Stamford Bridge following the conclusion of his season-long loan at Inter Milan.
Lukaku, who sees his contract expire in 2026, featured 25 times for the Nerazzurri in the Serie A last term, finding the net just 10 times. The Belgium international suffered a number of injuries at the start of the season but, once he got into his groove, he quickly built a head of steam.
Lukaku enjoyed a great vein of form towards the backend of the campaign, but he didn't exactly cover himself in glory in the Champions League final against Manchester City. However, despite an unconvincing cameo off the bench in Istanbul, the Belgian was quickly linked with a move to the Nerazzurri on a permanent basis.
But, with Inter reportedly short on cash and the Belgian keen stay in Italy, he's been left short of options – until now. According to The Telegraph, Juventus are interested in Lukaku as a potential replacement for Dusan Vlahovic.
The report states that further talks over the Belgian's future are planned for later this week and there's a mutual understanding at Stamford Bridge that it would be best a resolution is found soon. As for Vlahovic, he was once heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium but he snubbed Arsenal, who later signed Gabriel Jesus as an alternative.
According to Italian football agent Massimo Brambati, the Old Lady are expected to consider offers for the 23-year-old striker before making a final decision on his future. In an interview on TMW Radio, Brambati said: "There are three teams that showed up.
"In my opinion, Juve will take these offers seriously. All of them have an important profile, because they’re Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid.
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"I don’t know if the capital gain will be made [on Juventus' initial £67million investment], but after a year and a half of Vlahovic they’ve already amortised a year’s gross salary and a good part of the amount invested too."
Vlahovic, who sees his contract at the Allianz Stadium expire in 2026, featured 27 times for Juventus in the Serie A last season, scoring ten times. The Serbia international arrived in Turin a couple of years ago as one of the most exciting young strikers in Europe.
However, he's struggled to reach the same heights at Juventus which he enjoyed during his time at Fiorentina. Baring in mind Pochettino's success with Harry Kane, Chelsea can be confident that the Argentine will help Vlahovic realise his lofty potential.
