Lukaku rejects ANOTHER club as Chelsea star SLAMMED by Inter legend

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 21 Jul 2023 12:24 BST
• 3 min read

Romelu Lukaku has turned down yet another approach from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal as he looks for a permanent move to Serie A.

The Belgian forward has returned to Chelsea’s Cobham training base, but is not participating with the Blues first-team, who are currently in the United States of America on a pre-season tour.

He is instead training with other fringe members of the Chelsea squad as he looks to leave the club.

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Lukaku was expected to re-join Inter Milan, but he began negotiating with Juventus behind their back, which angered the San Siro club and caused them to dramatically pull out of negotiations. They have turned their attention to signing Arsenal’s Folarin Balogun instead.

Juve now appear his only option in Europe, but they are not convinced about signing Lukaku due to their financial situation.

They must sell Dusan Vlahovic to be able to afford Lukaku, but the Serbian has been told by some sections of the PSG ultra fanbase that they will cut off three of his fingers if he joins. PSG had been considered Vlahovic’s most likely destination.

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Lukaku remains in limbo, but has repeatedly stressed that he does not want to move to Saudi Arabia like many other European stars. Al-Hilal, the club interested in signing him, are willing to pay Chelsea €50 million for Lukaku, according to Corriere dello Sport, a fee that is unlikely to be matched by European clubs.

Chelsea have already sold Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy to Saudi Arabia, while N’Golo Kante also moved to the Saudi Pro League on a free transfer. Al-Hilal have signed Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Koulibaly so far this summer.

Lukaku SLAMMED by former Inter captain

In response to his actions towards Inter, Lukaku has been heavily criticised by former Nerazzurri captain Beppe Bergomi. “Life is made up of choices and Lukaku made them,” he said.

“He had meetings with Milan and Juventus. Now there's no turning back. I have always defended him for missed opportunities but this betrayal is even greater. Lukaku is indefensible.”