Chelsea demand Inter Milan SENSATION in return for Lukaku as transfer talks hot up
Graham Shaw
- 17 Jun 2023 01:40 CDT
- 4 min read
Chelsea have raised the stakes in their transfer negotiations with Inter Milan by demanding Nerazzurri sensation Nicolo Barella in return for striker Romelu Lukaku.
Inter are hoping to seal another loan deal for Blues striker Lukaku this summer after he spent 2022-23 at San Siro. The Belgian reportedly refused a massive offer to move to the Saudi Pro League in the last few days.
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The two clubs have reportedly discussed a number of options, with Inter also requesting Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly as well. But according to Corriere dello Sport there is a tantalising new wrinkle on the table - namely exciting midfielder Barella.
Per the Italian daily, Inter have yet to respond to the Chelsea suggestion - instead kicking the can down the road so they can consider it ahead of another scheduled sitdown with the Blues.
Barella also a target for Newcastle United
Barella has already drawn significant interest from Premier League clubs during the summer window - notably Saudi-backed Newcastle United. Some UK outlets have reported a deal is close for Barella to move to Tyneside.
Reports from Italy seem to pour a little cold water on that though, and now a potential move to London is on the table.
Inter of course must decide how they value both players - our ETV model puts Lukaku at €44.4m and Barella at €58.7m.
That Lukaku valuation of course represents a massive depreciation from the whopping €115m Chelsea paid Inter for his services in the summer of 2021.
Barella is not the only midfield option for new Chelsea coach Mauricio Pochettino, with the club also closing in on the capture of Brighton star Moises Caicedo.
A long-time target for Arsenal, Caicedo appears to prefer a move to Stamford Bridge with a salary of £200,000 per week on the table per our sources.
Arsenal meanwhile are concentrating on major deals for West Ham midfielder Declan Rice and Blues striker Kai Havertz, meaning Caicedo is less of a priority for now.
MORE: The best available free transfers in the summer of 2023
