Romelu Lukaku Chelsea transfer latest: Inter bid, £40m demand, Onana impact, training decision

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's second most expensive player of all time is set to leave the club permanently for a second time after two years of errors and mistakes.

Romelu Lukaku, signed for £97.5million in 2021 under Roman Abramovich and in the guidance of Thomas Tuchel, scored just eight league goals in what was meant to be a fairytale return to Stamford Bridge. He still finished as top scorer with 15 in all competitions but effectively ended all long-term future at the club with a disastrous interview with Sky Italia after just four months.

Fans have turned on Lukaku and shortly after Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital took over in May 2022 he was loaned back to Italy to try and rid his presence in the squad. Two permanent managers later and Lukaku's career at Chelsea appears to be up.

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

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."

Which of the following prospects would you like to see in the first team, or loaned out for experience? Swipe to have your say...