Inter Milan have reportedly rejected an official approach from Chelsea over the signing of Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku. Fabrizio Romano is reporting that the Champions League winners offered €100 million plus Marcos Alonso in exchange for their former player, which was rejected by the Serie A champions.
Blues manager Thomas Tuchel is keen to add an elite-level striker to his team ahead of next season. Inter need to sell players in order to soften the impact of the Covid-19 pamdemic on club finances, but are known to view Lukaku as an untouchable asset to their first-team squad.
Inter Milan Reject Chelsea’s Player Plus Cash Bid for Romelu Lukaku
‘Untouchable’ Lukaku is Settled in Italy
The fact Inter have swiftly rejected Chelsea’s bid comes as no surprise given how highly Lukaku is heralded in Milan. The former Everton striker has been a revelation for the club ever since his £73 million arrival from Manchester United in August 2019, scoring 64 goals in 95 games.
Lukaku fired the Nerazzurri to the Serie A title last season, scoring 24 goals and providing ten assists in 36 league games under the management of Antonio Conte.
Conte has since left the club after it emerged that Inter would need to sell one or two key players in this summer’s transfer window, prompting many to question whether Lukaku would follow the ex-Italy boss out of the door.
However, Lukaku is not seen as a player with whom the club are willing to part, and has expressed his excitement towards the challenge of defending the league title next season and working with new Inter manager Simone Inzaghi.
When Lukaku Nearly Re-Joined Chelsea in 2017
This latest bid marks the second time Chelsea have attempted to re-sign Lukaku since he left Stamford Bridge in July 2014. Prior to the Belgian’s move from Everton to Manchester United in 2017, the Blues had looked in pole position to reacquire their former player’s services, only for Lukaku to join José Mourinho at Old Trafford.
Last season, forwards Tammy Abraham and Timo Werner finished as Chelsea’s top-scorers; both players finding the target 12 times in all competitions.
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