Romelu Lukaku’s move to Inter draws nearer despite Chelsea rejecting Inter’s latest approach for the striker.
Premier League side Chelsea have reportedly rejected an approach from Italian side Inter in their quest to keep Romelu Lukaku with the Nerazzurri beyond the 2022/23 season.
Lukaku spent last season on loan at Inter from Chelsea, despite having joined the Blues only a year prior in a €113 million deal from the Nerazzurri.
He was allowed to move to Inter for a loan fee of €7.8 million and has been adamant that he intends to stay with the Milan club beyond the one-year loan.
Chelsea have already informed Inter that any deal for Lukaku would have to be on a permanent basis instead of a loan, as they look to recoup some of the money spent on the Belgian’s 2021 transfer.
According to reports from The Athletic, Chelsea have rebuffed Inter’s first attempt to sign Lukaku on a permanent basis after rejecting an opening €30 million bid from the Serie A side.
Inter are expected to return with another offer as negotiations continue, especially as Chelsea reportedly set a price tag for Lukaku that is lower than what the Italian side had budgeted for the forward.
Reports suggest that Chelsea will be willing to listen to offers for Lukaku above €45m, while Inter chief Beppe Marotta had already earmarked a value above €50m for the striker.
Inter should have enough funds to satisfy Chelsea’s request for Lukaku after reaching the final of last season’s UEFA Champions League while also being on the verge of receiving a rumoured €50m for the sale of goalkeeper Andre Onana to Manchester United.
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