Chelsea will seek a ‘specialist replacement’ if forward Romelu Lukaku departs the club in the summer, it has been reported.
The 29-year-old has been heavily linked with a return to Inter Milan after an underwhelming season at Chelsea.
As reported by the Evening Standard, Chelsea would look to bring in a ‘specialist replacement’ if Lukaku is to leave the club in the summer.
The Belgian arrived for a club-record £97.5m fee last year but failed to show the quality that earned him the move, scoring 30 goals for Inter Milan last season.
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He netted half as many goals for Thomas Tuchel’s side in a fairly controversial season at Stamford Bridge, sitting down with Italian media in December to criticise the head coach’s system and admit that he desired a return to Inter one day.
It looks like the forward could be granted the return he wants, with Chelsea potentially cutting ties with the Belgian after a disappointing return to the Premier League.
Inter Milan are keen on bringing him back to the San Siro but are unlikely to be able to afford a transfer fee, with a loan move being discussed.
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With the Belgian reportedly communicating with a host of people at Inter, hoping to seal his return, Chelsea would look to bring in a replacement.
Robert Lewandowski has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge and would likely fit the profile of a ‘specialist replacement’, with Chelsea playing without a recognised number nine when Lukaku spent a period of time out of the team.
However, Lewandowski has his heart set on a move to Barcelona, as he confirmed to the press.
"No other offers were even considered by me other than that of Barcelona. I want to leave Bayern, that’s clear,” the Poland international admitted.
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"It's time for a new stage for me. I hope the fans will understand. I would get the chance to take on a new challenge at another club for a few more years. That's my wish."
Chelsea have not been linked with many names in terms of traditional centre forwards, but with Lukaku’s future up in the air, the Blues are sure to have their eyes on potential replacements.
The Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital consortium, the new owners of Chelsea, will have their work cut out in the transfer market during their first summer in charge of the club as the record signing looks increasingly like leaving less than a year since his arrival.
Topics: Chelsea, Romelu Lukaku, Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours, Football
Nick Emms