AC Milan tell Chelsea how much they will pay for Lukaku

Stuart Telford

• 25 Jun 2023 14:09 BST
• 3 min read

AC Milan are willing to meet Chelsea's €40 million asking price for Romelu Lukaku, according to reports in Italy.

Lukaku recently turned down a big-money move to Saudi Arabia, still believing, at 30, that he can be a big player pushing for top honours in European football for some time yet.

Last season's loan spell at Inter Milan might bear that out. After a slow start to his second spell at the San Siro, Lukaku scored 11 goals in all competitions after the turn of the year, helping Inter into the Champions League final, which they lost 1-0 to Manchester City.

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It is understood that new Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino wanted to take a look at Lukaku back at Stamford Bridge, but the player made it clear his desire was to stay at Inter beyond his loan deal.

But now the Nerazzurri's city rivals AC Milan are ready to swoop in to sign the Belgian striker.

Milan and Chelsea 'have discussed terms'

"Milan's move for Lukaku isn't simply designed to rile," report Gazzetta dello Sport. "The Rossoneri have spoken to Chelsea as well as the player's entourage, and have discussed the terms of the outright sale of Big Rom. And the figure is known: €40m."

READ: Lukaku 'only wants Inter Milan', and another Chelsea star could follow

Milan need a new striker with Zlatan Ibrahimovic announcing his retirement and Olivier Giroud 37 in September.

Stefano Pioli's side were in discussions with Giroud's France international teammate Marcus Thuram, but he has decided to join Inter on expiry of his Borussia Monchengladbach contract.

While securing Lukaku's signature would carry a note of revenge, there is a real need for Milan to sign him, especially having missed out on Thuram.

Lukaku cost Chelsea €115m when they brought him back to Stamford Bridge from Inter in 2021, so they will be taking a €75m hit as and when Milan meet his current asking price.