Lukaku transfer: Huge decision, Pochettino admission, drastic action, bid made

Chelsea transfer news: The latest on Romelu Lukaku's exit from Stamford Bridge after Inter make the first move for a permanent move and Juventus queue up with Al-Hilal

Chelsea are trying to get the huge wages of Romelu Lukaku off their books after his dream £97.5million return to Chelsea quickly turned into a nightmare.

Lukaku has failed to live up to the huge price tag and new head cocah Mauricio Pochettino is looking for a way to move the Belgian on this summer. There has been interest, but a big price tag and big salaray have put clubs off, not to mention the striker's poor form.

He scored just eight league goals in what was meant to be a fairytale return to Stamford Bridge. The Belgium international returned to Inter on loan just a year later, but a return to San Siro this summer is unlikely after recent events.

The 30-year-old is said to want to stay in Europe to continue his career, but he is running out of options for a permanent transfer away from Chelsea.

Here, football.london has the latest on his exit.

Chelsea have decided they are open to letting Romelu Lukaku leave on loan in the final days of the transfer window, reports the Athletic. The Blues have been trying hard to broker a permanent exit for the Belgian international, but that is proving tough, with a temporary exit sanctioned with a meaningful fee.

Ahead of Chelsea's clash with Luton Town in the Premier League, Mauricio Pochettino was quizzed over the situation involving Lukaku this summer. He responded: "No [conversation], the situation did not change. We will see what happens in the future but at the moment the situation did not change....I'll explain again, if the player and clubs wish is to find a solution, it's not me, it's them.

"In that case, the player and the club will meet and inform to me that things changed. I'm not going to move until the club or the player want to talk with me. I am here, I accept the situation that was here when I arrived.

"Club and the player, both try to find a solution. The future can change things. Life can change. I saw Klopp say I'm not going to be in this business when we should pay £100million, and then they offered £100million and he said 'Oh, I made a mistake'. That is the same situation. In football, the dynamic is fast and changes and we need to move on. Today, nothing has changed. If something changes we will adapt to the situation?"

According to a report from Di Marzio, Mauricio Pochettino is claimed to be open to speak with Romelu Lukaku this summer about a possible return to the first-team. It would be a huge switch from the stance where there has been no discussions over a stay as well as training sessions with the youth setup.

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino is taking drastic measures to ensure that Romelu Lukaku will leave the club in the coming days of the summer transfer window. According to a report from the Telegraph, Lukaku has been sent to train with the under-21s squad over the first-team, while a move is being discussed.

Pochettino is believed to have not spoken with the striker at all since he made it clear that he desires to leave the club in the summer transfer window.

According to Football Italia, Inter have ended negotiations with Chelsea after Lukaku and his lawyer Sebastien Ledure failed to answer calls from directors. Inter were prepared to offer £30million plus add-ons, after Juventus offered £32million plus £2million earlier in the week.

Roc Nation president Michael Yormark has dismissed suggestions that the agency are set to drop Romelu Lukaku.

Reports in Italy had suggested that Roc Nation were angry that Chelsea striker Lukaku turned down a permanent move to Inter Milan - where he was on loan last season - as he would prefer to join Juventus. However, Yormark posted an Instagram story which read: ‘Fake news and irresponsible reporting must stop. Focus on facts and the truth.’

Al-Hilal have reportedly outbid Juventus for Romelu Lukaku despite the Chelsea forward wanting to remain in Europe. As per Gazzetta, Al-Hilal’s bid is worth more than €50million (£43m), but Lukaku doesn’t want to join them.

The Bianconeri are ready to offer €40million (£34m) for the 30-year-old, but they must sell Dusan Vlahovic before making a formal bid for the Blues. Vlahovic has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge as Pochettino looks to sign a new striker ahead of next season - but his wage demands could prove to be a key problem.

Sky Sports claim Chelsea have one more ‘serious’ offer for Lukaku, coming from Saudi club Al-Hilal. However, the Belgium international is unwilling to leave Europe, so he’s not expected to accept their offer.

The Nerazzurri saw two bids rejected for the striker and have since been claimed to be out of the race due to reports claiming Lukaku opened up the possibility of a switch to rivals Juventus - who could sell Chelsea target Dusan Vlahovic this summer.

The Telegraph also claim that the striker was unhappy with not starting the Champions League final against Manchester City, which may play a part in his decision to look elsewhere.

Chelsea are hoping to sell Romelu Lukaku in the summer transfer window with the Belgian striker pushing to return to Inter Milan. The 30-year-old spent last season on loan at Inter and helped them reach the UEFA Champions League final.

"Lukaku is Chelsea player now," Inzaghi said. "We all know how crucial he has been for us.

"I did my best to bring him back last summer. We’d like to re-sign Romelu also this summer and we’ll do our best to make it happen."

Chelsea losing out on Andre Onana to Manchester United could actually prove to be a huge transfer boost for Mauricio Pochettino.

According to The Times, Inter will step up their pursuit of Romelu Lukaku once Andre Onana's transfer to Man United has been finalised, with Chelsea holding out for £40million.

Romelu Lukaku had decided that he will not report for pre-season training at Cobham on Wednesday, according to The Telegraph.

With knowledge of his decision, Chelsea have now moved his return date to Monday, July 17 in the hope the transfer saga involving Inter will have been resolved.

The Telegraph write that, contrary to reports in Italy, Lukaku is instead ensuring a move to Inter is possible and will accept a pay cut of as much as £1million-a-year in order to secure a transfer.

It is also said that a new bid from the Nerazzurri is imminent following their low-ball offer of around £26million made first up. They had attempted to create a bidding war between Inter, Al-Hilal and Juventus but the player has no interest in joining the latter and isn't yet ready to accept an offer from Saudi Arabia.

Reports in Italy suggest that Lukaku has already agreed to join Juventus this summer and is open to a move to the Old Lady after it was revealed that talks are ongoing.

Chelsea are also said to be interested in Dusan Vlahovic and the prospect of a swap deal has been raised with both sides looking to reduce any potential price being paid as they seek to secure a positive deal.

Chelsea have rejected an offer from Inter of around £25.6million, according to the Athletic. With no loan deal being discussed, it was sent back out of hand with no consideration for offers of under £38million.

It had been thought that Inter would take Lukaku back on a second season loan for around £8million following his deal last summer but fitness and financial issues have put an end to that.

Juventus are one of the sides still interested in signing Lukaku this summer with Chelsea demanding £40million for the player, according to the Guardian.

The Blues have no wish to let him leave on loan again following their deal with Inter last term and Lukaku himself is set on a return to San Siro.

Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal are also in the mix with offers from the Middle East thought to have initially been rejected by Lukaku but he has since opened up to the idea.

Mauricio Pochettino revealed in his first press conference as boss that he would be having a meeting with Lukaku if he joins back up with the squad ahead of the tour of America in mid-July.

"He needs to come back July 12/13 to be part of the squad to start pre-season," he said.

"With all the players that arrive, first thing that they're doing is to come to my office and say hello. That's what I expect if he's still a Chelsea player."