Romelu Lukaku and Ruben Loftus-Cheek could fund the transfer of Moises Caicedo this summer. Mauricio Pochettino has been tasked with the difficult job of trimming down a bloated squad, and the Chelsea duo look set to make way.
The 29-year-old striker has been heavily linked with a return to Inter Milan following the conclusion of his season-long loan. Lukaku, who sees his contract expire at Stamford Bridge 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. While the Italian giants are keen on re-signing Lukaku, they are said to be short on cash.
According to The Telegraph, Chelsea initially refused the Nerazzurri's bid to take Lukaku on another loan. But, with Lukaku desperate to return to the San Siro and the Blues eager to recuperate a portion of the £97.5million they paid for him a couple of years ago, new talks are believed to be in the pipeline.
The Telegraph add that fresh negotiations between Chelsea and Inter are expected to be held. It's said that Lukaku could rejoin the Nerzzurri on a loan after all, but with an option to buy in the region of £25million.
However, the west Londoners would prefer an obligation to buy, guaranteeing the Belgian's sale. It remains to be seen whether Chelsea will succumb to Inter's demands, but Lukaku certainly has the potential to secure Todd Boehly a healthy windfall.
As for Loftus-Cheek, his move across town to AC Milan seems far more simple. football.london understand that the Cobham graduate is due in Italy this week for a medical.
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It's understood that Chelsea and Milan have agreed an £18million deal for the midfielder to move to the San Siro. Loftus-Cheek played 33 games in all competitions last term, scoring two goals for the Blues.
During his time at Stamford Bridge, he also spent two loan stints – with one coming at Crystal Palace and another coming at Fulham. If Chelsea can rake in over £40million between Lukaku and Loftus-Cheek, a deal for Caicedo looks all the more attractive...
