MX23RW : Tuesday, December 3 17:12:44| >> :120:3787:3787:

Romelu Lukaku 'has no plans to return to Chelsea amid Inter Milan interest'

Lukaku 'has no plans to return to Chelsea amid Inter interest'
© Reuters
Romelu Lukaku is reportedly determined to return to Inter Milan, telling Chelsea that he will not return to the club for pre-season training.

Romelu Lukaku has reportedly told Chelsea that he has no interest in returning to the club for pre-season training.

Therefore, Chelsea are said to be listening to offers of around £40m for the Belgian striker - a huge decrease on the £97m that they spent to bring him to Stamford Bridge in 2021.

Lukaku's former club Inter Milan are believed to be the side most likely to move for him after he spent last season on loan at San Siro.

talkSPORT claims that Lukaku has made it clear he has no intention of reporting back for pre-season training despite new manager Mauricio Pochettino being at the helm.

Even though Lukaku endured a largely frustrating season at Inter due to injury and playing second fiddle to Edin Dzeko in the latter stages of the Champions League, that is his preferred destination.

Inter Milan's Romelu Lukaku celebrates scoring their first goal on February 18, 2023© Reuters

Lukaku still managed 14 goals across all competitions for the Nerazzurri, but that was ultimately a slight mark down on his tally of 15 with Chelsea the season previously.

However, only in his final season at Everton where he notched 25 league goals has Lukaku had a better domestic campaign than his two seasons at Inter between 2019 and 2021.

With Dzeko having now moved on to Fenerbahce, a return for Lukaku should see him receive more game time.

His partnership with Lautaro Martinez proved crucial as Inter ensured Champions League qualification during their run to the final, with Lukaku being utilised in their Serie A encounters while manager Simone Inzaghi juggled his options to keep players fresh during a busy schedule.

Lukaku is believed to have no interest in a move to Saudi Arabia or Juventus, holding out for a move to Inter to materialise.

Inter Milan's Andre Onana reacts in April 2023© Reuters

BBC Sport claims that Chelsea are looking for around £40m for the 30-year-old, and Inter are expected to go back in with another offer should Andre Onana join Manchester United.

David de Gea's departure from the club makes a deal appear more likely as the Cameroonian has emerged as United's number one target.

Inter are hoping to receive around £50m for their first-choice goalkeeper, money which will then be used to finance a deal for Lukaku.

The Champions League finalists have been linked with Emil Audero, who would be available for a very low fee given Sampdoria's recent relegation to Serie B, allowing them to bring in a replacement keeper while having enough left over to afford Lukaku.

ID:518272:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5566:
Written by
Andrew Delaney

Romelu Lukaku future - Click here for more stories

Click here for more stories about Romelu Lukaku

Click here for more stories about Chelsea

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Inter Milan's Romelu Lukaku reacts in August 2022
Read Next:
Inter Milan 'preparing improved bid for Romelu Lukaku'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Browns
32-41
Broncos
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1311112681834
2Arsenal1374226141225
3Chelsea1374226141225
4Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton136522217523
5Manchester CityMan City137242219323
6Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest136431613322
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1362528141420
8Brentford136252623320
9Manchester UnitedMan Utd135441713419
10Fulham135441818019
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle135441414019
12Aston Villa135441922-319
13Bournemouth135352019118
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham134361724-715
15Everton132561021-1111
16Leicester CityLeicester132471627-1110
17Crystal Palace131661118-79
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves132382232-109
19Ipswich TownIpswich131661324-119
20Southampton1312101025-155


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!