MX23RW : Tuesday, December 24 03:38:28| >> :60:624:624:

Chelsea transfer roundup: Romelu Lukaku set for Inter Milan return, Blues cool interest in Ousmane Dembele

Sports Mole rounds up the latest Chelsea transfer news, including an update on Romelu Lukaku's future and potential moves for Ousmane Dembele and Matthijs de Ligt.

While a hierarchy reshuffle appears to be taking place at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea still have their eyes on a number of transfer targets as they bid to bolster their squad ahead of the 2022-23 campaign.

The Blues are in the market for central defenders following the departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen, while attacking reinforcements could also be made amid uncertainty over the future of last summer's record signing Romelu Lukaku.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up the latest Chelsea transfer news, including an update on Lukaku's position at the club and potential moves for Ousmane Dembele and Matthijs de Ligt.


Inter Milan set to re-sign Romelu Lukaku on loan

Romelu Lukaku celebrates scoring for Chelsea in May 2022© Reuters

Romelu Lukaku's disappointing 12-month stint at Stamford Bridge is finally set to come to an end, as he appears to be edging closer to a return to Inter Milan.

Italian journalists Gianluca Di Marzio and Fabrizio Romano claim that Chelsea and Inter have reached an agreement over a loan switch for the 29-year-old striker, with the Serie A giants to pay around €8m (£6.9m) plus add-ons.

The deal is believed to be a straight loan with no option or obligation to buy next summer, and Lukaku is allegedly taking a significant pay cut to force through his move back to San Siro.

Thomas Tuchel is in favour of Lukaku's departure from Stamford Bridge after the striker struggled to hit the heights expected with the Blues, albeit scoring 15 goals in 44 appearances across all competitions last season.

> Read the full story HERE


Chelsea cool interest in Barcelona's Ousmane Dembele

Ousmane Dembele in action for Barcelona in April 2022© Reuters

The future of Barcelona's Ousmane Dembele is yet to be resolved, with the 25-year-old winger set to see his current contract expire on June 30.

Chelsea are one of a host of top European clubs who have been linked with the France international, but Sport claims that the Blues have now cooled their interest.

The report adds that Chelsea are 'surprised by the footballer's demands' considering his injury record over the last few seasons.

Should the Blues reignite their interest, Dembele would allegedly want assurances over playing time under Tuchel before considering a move to West London.

Dembele, who has also been linked with the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United, has made 150 appearances for Barcelona across all competitions, recording 32 goals and 34 assists.

> Read the full story HERE


Chelsea leading race for Matthijs de Ligt

Matthijs de Ligt in training on March 15, 2022© Reuters

There is no hiding the fact that Chelsea will look to sign at least one centre-back this summer, and one name who could be heading to Stamford Bridge in Juventus' Matthijs de Ligt.

Calcimercato claims that the Blues are in pole position to sign the 22-year-old Dutchman ahead of Liverpool and Manchester City.

De Ligt has two years remaining on his contract in Turin but he will allegedly need to take a pay cut if he is to sign an extension.

Even though De Ligt was a valuable first-team member at Juve last season, featuring 42 times across all competitions, the former Ajax man has publicly refused to rule out a potential exit from the club in the near future.

> Read the full story HERE


ID:488614:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect8025:
Written by
Oliver Thomas

Romelu Lukaku future - Click here for more stories

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Matthijs de Ligt in training on March 15, 2022
Read Next:
Chelsea 'in pole position to sign De Ligt'
>
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
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256


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!