Chelsea Target Trio With Romelu Lukaku Departure To Inter Milan Expected

Chelsea have made their interest in three Inter Milan players clear during negotiations for Romelu Lukaku, according to reports.

Both clubs are currently locked in talks to thrash out an agreement to send Lukaku back to the San Siro after just one year at Stamford Bridge following his £97.5 million transfer to the English capital.

After having an initial loan offer rejected, Inter are set to make an improved proposal to the Blues this week to get a loan deal over the line.

Thomas Tuchel is being backed by Todd Boehly, Chelsea's co-controlling owner, despite the American not being 'fully convinced' that letting the 29-year-old depart is the right call.

With discussions ongoing for the Belgian, Chelsea have made their interest in some of Inter's players clear, according to Gianluca Di Marzio.

Milan Skriniar, Denzel Dumfries and Alessandro Bastoni are all of interest, however it is believed the Italian side don't want to sell any of the trio to the Blues.

Any deal for either of these players would be separate to the Lukaku deal, with Chelsea yet to act on their interest for Skriniar, Dumfries and Bastoni.

PSG have shown interest in Skriniar and had a €50 million bid rejected, while Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are keen on Bastoni.

But Bastoni's representatives, following a meeting with Inter chiefs, insisted his client wasn't leaving the San Siro this summer, saying earlier this month: "He will definitely stay at Inter."

Whether or not Chelsea will get any of Inter's players in return once the Lukaku deal completes remains unclear, but the Blues do have their other transfer targets.

Sevilla's Jules Kounde remains high on the agenda but Barcelona are pushing to complete a deal. Christopher Nkunku and Raheem Sterling are of interest, while Gabriel Jesus looks to be Arsenal bound with Mikel Arteta's ready to meet Manchester City's asking price.

It remains unclear which Chelsea chiefs want Lukaku to leave this summer after Petr Cech backed the forward to have a strong season next term.

"I personally believe that he will have a great season because last season we saw how strong he can be at the beginning when he came.

"Unfortunately, the long-term injury he sustained in the game against (Aston) Villa slowed everything down, then he had Covid as well. We could towards the end of the season he was fit and ready to go again, how strong he is.

"We had a particular season as a team around Christmas with Covid issues, he was one of those players affected too. I have full confidence that he will bounce back, he will have a strong season."

Cech also admitted that Chelsea are bracing themselves for a busy transfer window amid Tuchel's claims of a rebuild being required in west London this summer.

"It will be (a busy summer for Chelsea following new owners' arrival). 

“Of course we plan, prepare, and be as strong as we can next season."