26 April 2023 , 14:17
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Chelsea will speak to Italian giants Inter over the possibility of a goalkeeper swap deal while discussing the future of Romelu Lukaku.
The situation of Lukaku is a fluid one as the player prefers to stay in Serie A but Inter do not currently have the financial position to commitment to a long-term arrangement. Chelsea will meet with the Serie A club in a bid to resolve his future ahead of his anticipated summer return to the Blues.
Lukaku was a popular figure with Inter before he was lured back to Stamford Bridge for a second spell in the summer of 2021 in a blockbuster £97.5million move. But after struggling to live up to expectations, the 29-year-old was shipped back out to the Serie A outfit on loan before the start of the 2022/23 campaign.
The Belgian striker has been plagued by injuries this season and has found the net nine times in 26 appearances to date. Inter are struggling domestically, having lost 11 of their 31 Serie A matches to date this campaign, although they have reached the Champions League semi-finals, having won the Italian Super Cup and reached the last four of the Coppa Italia.
Lukaku’s future is uncertain and another season on loan in Italy should not be ruled out, as it appears unlikely that Inter will be able to fund a permanent move for the striker. However, the striker will have a lack of clarity over his future for some time yet as Inter aim to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
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As Mauricio Pochettino is close to being confirmed as the new Chelsea boss, it has been reported that the Argentine coach would be willing to give Lukaku another chance at Stamford Bridge. But the club need a dozen first-team player sales and the striker may fit the bill.
Lukaku had a poor season in the Premier League last campaign as he struggled to fire upfront for Chelsea (Getty Images)Have Your Say! Should Chelsea look to sell Lukaku this summer? Tell us what you think here.
Indeed, the Blues have such an ambiguous position on Lukaku can be seen in their priority for their upcoming meeting with Inter. As outlined by the Evening Standard, the club want to ask the Milanese club about a goalkeeper swap deal.
Chelsea are prioritising a move for goalkeeper Andre Onana, and are willing to offer Inter the choice of either Kepa Arrizabalaga or Edouard Mendy in exchange. This suggests that the west London club would happily offload both goalkeepers this summer as they aim to land Onana.
The Cameroon goalkeeper, who retired from international duty after the World Cup last year, joined Inter from Ajax last summer. He had made 214 first-team appearances for the Dutch club prior to his move to Serie A.