Romelu Lukaku’s Chelsea return date has been changed to July 17 with the forward looking to secure an exit before then.
The Belgian, along with several of his team-mates, was expected back for pre-season training on either Wednesday or Thursday. He is the subject of interest from Inter Milan and wants to secure a permanent return to Italy despite their offer being short of Chelsea’s valuation.
The Italian side are set to up their bid as they look to get closer to Lukaku’s £40m valuation. The Blues have chosen to delay the Belgian’s return date in the hope any deal with the Serie A outfit will have been finalised by then and he won’t have to interupt their preparations, as per the Telegraph.
Mauricio Pochettino continues to put his players through their paces but is doing so whilst several players face uncertain futures. The likes of Hakim Ziyech and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could train away from the main group as they look to secure moves elsewhere.
Lukaku has received an offer from Saudi Arabia, which he has knocked back, and also has no interest in joining Juventus, who have been linked with him. Lukaku was by no means a regular at the San Siro last term, but previously underlined his love of the club.
The Belgian moved to the Serie A outfit in 2019 after leaving Manchester United and, even after departing for Chelsea in 2021, made his affection known which landed him in hot water at Stamford Bridge.
Lukaku told Sky Sport Italia in December 2021: “I’m not happy with the situation (at Chelsea), this is normal. But I am a worker and I must not give up. I want to say a big apology to the Inter fans because I think the way I left should have been different. I really hope in the depths of my heart to return to Inter, not at the end of my career, but at a still good level to hopefully win more.”
Last term scoring goals for Chelsea was a major issue and, as a result, new faces are being sought. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang joined last summer from Barcelona but only scored three times for the Blues and is set to training away from the main group at Cobham with his exit expected.
Christopher Nkunku has been signed from RB Leipzig after scoring on 58 occasions across the past two seasons. He will bolster the front line whilst Pochettino is also hoping to get the likes of Raheem Sterling and Mykhaylo Mudryk firing on all cylinders. (Mirror)
