“He is due to return on July 12/13 to be part of the squad to start pre-season. With all the players coming in, the first thing they do is come into my office and say hello. That’s what I expect if he’s still a Chelsea player.”. Here is what the new Chelsea coach Mauricio Pochettino said, present at a press conference, about Romelu Lukaku. Announced on departure and coveted for several weeks by Inter Milan where he was loaned last season, the Belgian international (108 caps, 75 goals) therefore seems to be part of the plans of the Argentine technician.
A trend which is confirmed with regard to the latest information provided by The Athletic this Saturday. If the British media suggests that the Red Devil is still waiting for a return to the Nerazzurri, it indicates above all that the Blues have rejected the last offer from Inter Milan. Although the amount of this latest proposal is not revealed, our colleagues specify that Chelsea would expect no less than 45 million euros (38.5 million pounds sterling, 49.4 million dollars) to let go of their striker.
Inter Milan could accelerate on another track, Juve is trying its luck!
After having recovered 113 million euros in August 2021, the internal management would still be very far from the requirements set by the London formation. Author of 14 goals and 7 assists, last season, with the last Champions League finalist, Lukaku – who had disappointed during the 2021-2022 exercise with the Blues – will therefore have to take his troubles patiently before find, or not, the lawn of Giuseppe Meazza. One thing is certain, if Inter fail to meet Chelsea’s demands, other suitors remain on the lookout. In this context, The Athletic specifies that Juventus and the Saudi club Al Hilal are also interested in the Belgian centre-forward. Sky Sports even adds that the Old Lady has started talks with Chelsea. Regarding the Saudi Pro League resident, an agreement has been sought for several weeks. Without success so far.
Tired of the intransigence of Chelsea, Inter could, for its part, move forward on other tracks. Lately the Gazzetta Dello Sport assured in particular that the Nerazzurri was interested in parallel to the striker of Atlético de Madrid: Alvaro Morata. Much appreciated by Beppe Marotta, his former manager at Juventus who is now at Inter (since 2018), Morata, under contract until June 2024 and open to a return to Italy, has a departure clause estimated at 10 millions. It now remains to be seen whether the internal leaders will continue to push for Lukaku or will fall back on the Spanish striker…
