Inter Milan ready to accept Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku demand ahead of fresh talks

Inter Milan are ready to meet Chelsea’s demand for Romelu Lukaku when talks resume this week, according to reports.

Lukaku is keen on remaining at Inter Milan after spending the 2022/23 season on loan at the Nerazzurri. AC Milan have reportedly been considering Lukaku, while interest from Saudi side Al-Hilal, who Chelsea had hoped to offload Lukaku to, has been shown.

But the Belgium international’s preference is to stay at Inter Milan and, as reported by Matt Law of the Daily Telegraph, talks are due to take place this week over another season-long loan, with the option of making the deal permanent next summer for around €30 million.

Chelsea have been insistent on making sure the deal includes an obligation to buy if an agreement is going to be reached this week with the Serie A side, and a fresh update from Nizaar Kinsella of the Evening Standard has given Mauricio Pochettino’s side hope of striking a deal.

It’s claimed Inter are now willing to include an obligation to buy Lukaku next summer once the loan deal concludes, giving Chelsea the chance to offload the 30-year-old for good.

Under the previous ownership, Chelsea signed Lukaku for a then club-record fee of £97.5 million from Inter Milan. But after a couple of months, the relationship turned sour after Lukaku agreed to an unauthorised interview with Sky Italia.

Chelsea have already moved on from Lukaku as they close in on the signing of Nicolas Jackson from Villarreal for slightly more than his €35 million release clause. Official confirmation of his arrival on a reported eight-year contract is imminent.

Jackson will join Christopher Nkunku who joins from RB Leipzig, while Kai Havertz and Hakim Ziyech nears departures to Arsenal and Al-Nassr respectively.

Lukaku’s lawyer, Sebastien Ledure, spoke to Fabrizio Romano last week to offer an update on his client’s future. He confirmed it was down to Inter to meet Chelsea’s demands.

“No talks ongoing with AC Milan. Romelu wants to stay in Europe; confirmed this by not joining Saudi now.

“Chelsea position: interested clubs have to present a firm offer. Inter have the ball in their court.”