Chelsea are open to sending Lukaku back to Inter this summer, but for acceptable terms. Their new brass met with Thomas Tuchel, giving him ample transfer market powers. Considering how last season went, the departure of the Belgian striker is possible.
On the other hand, the deal remains complex. The Nerazzurri do not have the resources to buy him outright. The latest development is that the Blues could accept an initial loan, but not free of charge. And they would prefer a commitment to a future acquisition. The Serie A side does not seem ready to guarantee it at this stage, La Gazzetta dello Sport informs.
The most straightforward solution would be a swap with one of the Inter stars Chelsea are keen on, the publication adds. Milan Skriniar, Alessandro Bastoni and Lautaro Martinez top such list. Alternatively, the Nerazzurri would have to spend around €20M for a seasonal spell, which is the center-forward’s value on the balance sheets.
According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Inter could sign both Lukaku and Paulo Dybala only if they sold Martinez. Both the player and the management were leaning in the opposite direction.
Our Take on the Lukaku-Centered Talks Between Inter and Chelsea
The drama continues in one of the weirdest transfer sagas of the last few years. The stance by Chelsea is understandable as they can not just give Lukaku away after such an enormous investment, but it is not certain Inter will entertain their proposal given its ulterior implications. A trade makes the most sense, but the Nerazzurri would not turn in a profit, which is the main purpose of partying ways with a cornerstone. Plus, they would have to renounce to either Dybala and Martinez. The Belgian was great in Milan, but the drawbacks are starting to outweigh the benefits.