Inter Milan set for new Romelu Lukaku bid as Chelsea stand firm on exit

Chelsea have already rejected one offer from Inter Milan to take Romelu Lukaku on another season-long loan, but the Italians are set to make a new bid.

Inter are likely to propose signing Lukaku on another season-long loan, but this time with the option to buy him for €30 million (£25.8 million) next summer. Chelsea are expected to insist on an obligation, rather than an option but there is a feeling in Italy that a deal can be agreed.

It remains to be seen whether or not Inter could eventually try to sign Lukaku permanently this summer if they sell goalkeeper Andre Onana, who Chelsea were interested in and who is now a target for Manchester United.

Lukaku has told Chelsea that his priority is to return to Inter and sources close to the player have been dismissive of supposed interest from AC Milan, while the player is unlikely to be keen on the prospect of moving to Juventus.

Chelsea had hoped to sell Lukaku to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal, but the Belgian is yet to accept the offer he was made and wants to focus on trying to return to Inter.

Having successfully set up deals to sell a host of wantaway players, Chelsea are keen to find a solution for Lukaku as quickly as possible.

Sources in Italy believe the club’s tough stance over a sale will eventually have to soften with all parties acknowledging that forcing Lukaku to return to Chelsea could be damaging.

New head coach Mauricio Pochettino starts work at Chelsea next Monday with the players due in from Tuesday. Those who have been on international duty, including Lukaku, have longer off.

Pochettino ideally does not want to take any wantaway players with him to the United States for Chelsea’s pre-season tour, which the squad fly out for on July 17.

That leaves Chelsea needing to strike a deal for Lukaku before then to avoid a potentially awkward situation in which the striker has to be left behind to train.