Transfer News – Inter reject Chelsea’s bid for Romelu Lukaku

Posted on August 4, 2021 by Matthew T

Inter Milan have reportedly turned down an offer worth around £85million plus Marcos Alonso from Chelsea for striker Romelu Lukaku in recent days.

Chelsea’s search for a new striker this summer has now turned to former striker Romelu Lukaku. This may well be an indication of how strong Borussia Dortmund’s stance is regarding the highly sought after Erling Haaland this transfer window. Chelsea had been hoping to jump the queue for the Norweigan’s signature before his reported release clause kicks in next summer, which will be sure to be one of the biggest transfer sagas to date. But rewind back to the present and after links to Harry Kane of Tottenham as well, it appears their attention has now turned to Lukaku.

The Belgian record goalscorer scored 24 goals in Serie A last season to help Inter Milan win their first Scudetto in over a decade. But despite this triumph, the champions are in a troubling financial position this summer. Manager Antonio Conte has already departed due to the situation and star full-back Achraf Hakimi has been sold to PSG for around £54million in order to generate much-needed funds. However, Lukaku is seen as the one player who is “untouchable” and the focal point to build the team around this season.

The latest offer is believed to be the second offer submitted by Chelsea during the transfer window. And according to The Athletic, there is expected to be a third offer in the coming days. This latest rejected offer was reportedly worth around £85million in cash, with full-back Marcos Alonso included as well.

Lukaku originally joined Chelsea from Belgian side Anderlecht in 2011. But after rarely featuring at the London club, he had successful loan spells out at West Bromwich Albion and then Everton, which was made permanent the following summer. A big money move took the 28-year-old to Manchester United in 2017 but after a mixed spell, Inter Milan came calling in the summer of 2019. Across all of these clubs, the striker has scored a total of 251 goals in 508 matches, whilst becoming Belgium’s all-time record goalscorer with 64 goals in 98 caps.