Chelsea are looking to sell their second most expensive player of all time for a second time. Romelu Lukaku - signed for £97.5million back in 2021 under Roman Abramovich and in the guidance of Thomas Tuchel - scored just eight league goals in what was meant to be a fairytale return to Stamford Bridge.
However, he failed to hit the heights the Blues had hoped and was sent out on loan to Inter just a year later. It now looks likely that he will be sold in a permanent deal back to Inter following his loan spell last season.
Mauricio Pochettino promised a meeting with the striker should he return to Cobham ahead of pre-season but that now looks increasingly unlikely. Chelsea have delayed Lukaku's return to pre-season training with the Belgian hoping to be confirmed as an Inter player by Monday, July 17.
Here, football.london has the latest on his exit.
Inter boss delivers Lukaku verdict
Chelsea are hoping to sell Romelu Lukaku in the summer transfer window with the Belgian striker pushing to return to Inter Milan. The 30-year-old spent last season on loan at Inter and helped them reach the UEFA Champions League final.
"Lukaku is Chelsea player now," Inzaghi said. "We all know how crucial he has been for us.
"I did my best to bring him back last summer. We’d like to re-sign Romelu also this summer and we’ll do our best to make it happen."
Andre Onana impact
Chelsea losing out on Andre Onana to Manchester United could actually prove to be a huge transfer boost for Mauricio Pochettino.
According to The Times, Inter will step up their pursuit of Romelu Lukaku once Andre Onana's transfer to Man United has been finalised, with Chelsea holding out for £40million.
Training decision
Romelu Lukaku had decided that he will not report for pre-season training at Cobham on Wednesday, according to The Telegraph.
With knowledge of his decision, Chelsea have now moved his return date to Monday, July 17 in the hope the transfer saga involving Inter will have been resolved.
Inter second bid
The Telegraph write that, contrary to reports in Italy, Lukaku is instead ensuring a move to Inter is possible and will accept a pay cut of as much as £1million-a-year in order to secure a transfer.
It is also said that a new bid from the Nerazzurri is imminent following their low-ball offer of around £26million made first up. They had attempted to create a bidding war between Inter, Al-Hilal and Juventus but the player has no interest in joining the latter and isn't yet ready to accept an offer from Saudi Arabia.
Juventus 'agreed'
Reports in Italy suggest that Lukaku has already agreed to join Juventus this summer and is open to a move to the Old Lady after it was revealed that talks are ongoing.
Chelsea are also said to be interested in Dusan Vlahovic and the prospect of a swap deal has been raised with both sides looking to reduce any potential price being paid as they seek to secure a positive deal.
Inter bid rejected
Chelsea have rejected an offer from Inter of around £25.6million, according to the Athletic. With no loan deal being discussed, it was sent back out of hand with no consideration for offers of under £38million.
It had been thought that Inter would take Lukaku back on a second season loan for around £8million following his deal last summer but fitness and financial issues have put an end to that.
Juventus talks
Juventus are one of the sides still interested in signing Lukaku this summer with Chelsea demanding £40million for the player, according to the Guardian.
The Blues have no wish to let him leave on loan again following their deal with Inter last term and Lukaku himself is set on a return to San Siro.
Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal are also in the mix with offers from the Middle East thought to have initially been rejected by Lukaku but he has since opened up to the idea.
Pochettino meeting
Mauricio Pochettino revealed in his first press conference as boss that he would be having a meeting with Lukaku if he joins back up with the squad ahead of the tour of America in mid-July.
"He needs to come back July 12/13 to be part of the squad to start pre-season," he said.
"With all the players that arrive, first thing that they're doing is to come to my office and say hello. That's what I expect if he's still a Chelsea player."
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