Chelsea outcast Romelu Lukaku will not sign for Inter Milan this summer as the Italian giants have reportedly ‘pulled out’ of the race to buy the forward.
The striker’s return to Chelsea has been a nightmare for all involved. They paid around £97.5m to re-sign Lukaku from Inter Milan in 2021.
He only scored eight goals in 26 Premier League appearances for Chelsea during the 2021/22 campaign before he was sent back to Inter Milan on loan.
After scoring 64 goals in 95 appearances for Inter Milan during his first spell in Serie A, he only scored 14 goals in 37 outings last season for the Champions League finalists.
There have been suggestions that Mauricio Pochettino could look to reintegrate Lukaku next season after Chelsea only scored 38 Premier League goals in 2022/23.
But it has become increasingly apparent in recent days that he will leave Chelsea this summer. He has attracted interest from the Saudi Pro League but he reportedly prefers a move back to Serie A.
A return to Inter Milan was initially on the cards but Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio was the first to confirm that ‘Inter have decided to step back from the Lukaku deal’.
Lukaku has not ‘answered Inter calls’ of late and he ‘started to negotiate’ with Juventus prior to the Champions League final.
Inter and Juventus have been willing to pay €40m, but ‘the Nerazzurri could not find Lukaku to agree a deal over personal terms’.
The report adds: ‘Last night, the Belgian striker called Inter sporting director, Piero Ausilio, but the manager informed the player, in a phone call that lasted around 30 seconds, that he was not in their plans anymore.
‘Therefore, it’s now over between Romelu Lukaku and Inter, and the Nerazzurri will explore the market for other strikers. Juventus keep their interest in him, should they sell Dusan Vlahovic. Chelsea and Saudi Arabia are the other options for Lukaku.’
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Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano later confirmed that the ‘deal is off’ as Inter Milan have ‘decided to leave negotiations for Lukaku’.
Inter Milan are said to be ‘furious’ after discovering that Lukaku had been in talks with Juventus, with the Turin outfit and Saudi Arabia ‘remaining options’ for the attacker.
Juventus’ pursuit of Lukaku is said to be dependent on Dusan Vlahovic, who is being linked with Tottenham and Man Utd.
Romano adds: “Deal OFF with Inter doesn’t change Chelsea plans: he’s expected to return on Monday but won’t travel to USA with the squad.
“Understand Pochettino never spoke to Lukaku: Chelsea want him to leave. Juve, Saudi or any other club ready to pay €40m.”
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