A year ago
Romelu Lukaku Chelsea transfer latest: Bid rejected, Juventus talks, Inter price, Saudi offer
The latest developments regarding Romelu Lukaku's potential departure from Chelsea have emerged, involving Inter's initial bid, ongoing talks with Juventus, the asking price set by Chelsea, and an unexpected offer from Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal.
Despite being Chelsea's second most expensive player in history, Lukaku's return to Stamford Bridge in 2021 failed to live up to expectations. The Belgian striker, who was meant to have a fairytale return, only managed to score eight league goals, causing disappointment among fans. A disastrous interview with Sky Italia further strained his relationship with the club, seemingly sealing his fate and indicating that his future at Chelsea was uncertain.
The latest reports suggest that Inter Milan made an offer of approximately £25.6 million for Lukaku, but Chelsea swiftly rejected it, according to the Athletic. The Blues have no interest in discussing a loan deal and have set their minimum asking price at £38 million. It was initially speculated that Inter would consider a second season loan for Lukaku at a fee of around £8 million, but various concerns, including fitness and financial issues, have put an end to that possibility.
Juventus remains one of the interested parties in acquiring Lukaku's services. However, Chelsea's asking price for the player stands at £40 million, as reported by the Guardian. Chelsea is not willing to entertain another loan agreement, considering their previous deal with Inter last season, and Lukaku himself is determined to return to San Siro.
Surprisingly, Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal has entered the picture with offers from the Middle East. Lukaku initially rejected these proposals, but recent reports suggest that he has become more open to the idea. It appears that Lukaku is exploring various options to secure his future away from Chelsea.
Mauricio Pochettino, the newly appointed Paris Saint-Germain manager, mentioned in his first press conference that he plans to have a meeting with Lukaku if he rejoins the Chelsea squad ahead of the tour of America in mid-July. Pochettino emphasized the importance of players greeting him upon their arrival at the club. However, Lukaku's involvement in this meeting would depend on whether he remains a Chelsea player by that time.
As the transfer saga unfolds, football fans eagerly anticipate the resolution of Lukaku's future. The negotiations between the involved parties will determine where the prolific striker will ply his trade next. Lukaku's departure from Chelsea seems increasingly likely, with Inter, Juventus, and even a potential move to Saudi Arabia being considered as potential destinations.
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