Chelsea respond to latest Lukaku offer

Tom Weber

• Updated: 3 Jul 2023 13:45 BST
• 3 min read

Chelsea are 'unsatisfied' with the way negotiations with Inter over Romelu Lukaku's transfer have gone, according to reports.

The Blues are keen to make Lukaku the latest player to depart Stamford Bridge as part of their huge summer clearout. The likes of Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly, Mateo Kovacic, Kai Havertz and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have all officially left Chelsea and more departures are expected to follow soon.

Lukaku failed to have the desired impact following his big-money return to London, which saw Chelsea shell out an eye-watering €115 million. The Belgian spent last season on loan at Inter, but once again enjoyed a hit-and-miss campaign. At times, he looked back to his best, but there were also plenty of occasions - like the Champions League final - where he played like the clumsy Chelsea flop again.

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Nevertheless, Inter would be prepared to keep the 30-year-old around with the player particularly keen on staying in Milan, but negotiations have thus far yielded no tangible results.

Chelsea 'unsatisfied'

Fabrizio Romano has reported - and since confirmed by Italian media - that Chelsea are ready to head back to the negotiating table with an offer that would see them take Lukaku on loan for another season.

With Blues adamant that the Belgian must leave permanently this summer, the Nerrazzuri would be prepared to include an obligation to buy in the deal. Though given their financial struggles, they may only be able to pay in instalments.

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Italian media claims that Inter would be prepared to offer up to €30m to get Lukaku, but Chelsea are said to be holding out for as much as €50m. This divergence, according to Sky Sports, has left Chelsea 'unsatisfied' with the course of the talks.

Nevertheless, negotiations are set to continue and Lukaku will be the number one priority of Inter's recruitment team once Marcelo Brozovic's sale to Al-Nassr has been completed.