New Chelsea owner Todd Boehly will reportedly meet with Thomas Tuchel this week to discuss the future of Romelu Lukaku.
Inter Milan are hoping to re-sign the striker this summer after his disappointing campaign back at Chelsea. The star cost £97.5million but didn’t live up to expectations, registering just eight Premier League goals.
His record in all competitions sounds better – 15 goals in 44 matches. But Chelsea will have been hoping for a much bigger impact from their record signing.
Inter believe they can take Lukaku back to Italy once the transfer window officially opens on Friday.
They don’t have the finances to meet Chelsea’s asking price so are looking at alternatives ways of capturing the Belgium international.
The most likely scenario is a season-long loan, which could include the option to buy next summer. This would give Inter time to sell players and create enough funds for Lukaku’s permanent move.
According to a recent report from The Telegraph, Lukaku has told Blues officials he wants to leave. And he is willing to halve his wages to make this happen.
The Daily Mail provide an insight into Chelsea’s thinking, while citing Italian source Gazzetta dello Sport. They claim Boehly will talk with Tuchel on Wednesday or Thursday to resolve Lukaku’s future.
Todd Boehly must reach Romelu Lukaku decision
The 29-year-old is one of Boehly’s priorities after his takeover went through on May 30. The American businessman must also fund moves for new defenders as Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen are leaving.
Boehly will presumably ask Tuchel what he thinks about Lukaku moving on. The German coach already has Kai Havertz available up front, although Lukaku’s exit may leave him short of backup options.
The report claims Boehly will allow Lukaku to go as long as it is financially viable for Chelsea. This could mean he requests a hefty loan fee from Inter in the summer, to aid Chelsea’s finances.
Lukaku is ready and waiting for the decision from Boehly and Tuchel. He apparently has a private jet on standby. He will use this to fly to Milan and meet with Inter chiefs, as long as Chelsea sanction his departure.
Lukaku’s situation is definitely one to keep an eye on this summer. He is still a big asset for Chelsea, although Tuchel tends to utilise Havertz up top instead.
Inter are likely to make an official loan bid in the next few weeks. But their lack of financial power means other suitors could come in and enter negotiations for the attacker.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have reportedly made a Juventus star one of their top transfer targets.
