Lukaku transfer decision made as Chelsea 'eye' Inter Milan double swoop

Chelsea are targeting Inter Milan stars Achraf Hakimi and Lautaro Martinez but have had their interest in Romelu Lukaku shut down by the Italian club.

Many believed after Antonio Conte left his managerial role Lukaku would follow suit but new boss Simone Inzaghi is said to have told the Belgian international he is crucial to his plans next season.

The news, reported by ANSA and FCInter1908, isn't surprising, as the former Manchester United star was integral to Inter's Serie A win this season after scoring 24 goals in 36 league appearances.

While the Lukaku move doesn't look likely, Hakimi and Martinez are two players who could be on their way to Stamford Bridge next season.

The stars could leave due to Inter's financial troubles as wages at the club will have to be cut by 20 per cent, according to reports.

Hakimi's agent, Alejandro Camano, has also added fuel to the rumours by stating every player has their price.

He told Telelombardia : "There is no situation at the moment (with Hakimi). I haven't talked to any club and I don't think Inter have either. It is a difficult time for football, there is a difficult economic situation.

"It is not easy to get out of this complicated situation due to Covid-19. I think it is not possible today to say who will leave Inter to fix this difficult economic situation.

"He (Hakimi) is very young, joining Inter was a very intelligent decision. When the transfer window opens, we receive calls you for players, for all the players.

"The transfer market begins and if Inter are in trouble we will understand what to do. The market will tell."

If deals are struck for Hakimi and Martinez they will be difficult to arrange due to their current contracts at the Italian side.

Hakimi has four years left on his deal while Martinez has two years on his.

However, after Chelsea won the Champions League on Saturday the two players could be keen to make the move to the Premier League.

The Blues triumphed over Manchester City in Porto in a 1-0 win thanks to a Kai Havertz goal.

Speaking after the win, manager Thomas Tuchel revealed he met owner Roman Abramovich on the pitch and hoped the win secured a new contract for himself.

He said: "I’m not quite sure if I can even speak out on this, I’m not even 100 per cent sure but maybe I have already a new contract with that win, my manager said something but I do not know, so let’s check this first.

"I spoke to the owner right now on the pitch, I think it was the best moment for the first meeting, or the worst because from now on it can only get worse!

"We will speak tomorrow, we will speak later, I’m looking forward to this, I can assure him I will stay hungry, that I want the next title and I feel absolutely happy.

"I feel as a part of a really ambitious club, a strong part of a strong group that suits my belief and my passion about football in the moment perfectly."