Chelsea 'tell Romelu Lukaku they will not accept loan bids'

Chelsea reportedly have no intention of entertaining loan offers for Romelu Lukaku this summer.

Having scored 15 goals from 44 appearances during his first campaign back at Stamford Bridge, Lukaku subsequently spent 2022-23 on loan at Inter Milan, his former club.

The 30-year-old ultimately enjoyed a productive season at San Siro, shaking off making little impact before the World Cup to end the campaign with 13 goals and seven assists in Serie A and the Champions League.

Inter are now keen to retain the services of the Belgium international, while it is known that Lukaku would like to continue his career at the Champions League runners-up.

However, Inter are seemingly not in a position where they can afford to sign Lukaku on a permanent basis, effectively forcing Chelsea's hand on the situation.

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According to the Evening Standard, Lukaku is willing to halve his salary if it means facilitating at least another season at I Nerazzurri.

Nevertheless, Gazzetta dello Sport claims that Chelsea's hierarchy are not interested in allowing Lukaku to take on another loan spell.

The report suggests that the Blues have already communicated with Lukaku's representatives that it will take Inter to lodge a substantial bid to secure a reunion.

Chelsea, who paid £97.5m to sign Lukaku in 2021, are now allegedly prepared to accept a fee of €40m (£34.4m) to give the green light to a sale.

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Lukaku recently had the option to move to a Saudi Pro League club, only to reject that opportunity and a bigger salary in order to remain in Europe.

Inter's fierce rivals AC Milan are also said to be monitoring the situation, yet Lukaku's affinity to Inter is unlikely to lead to what would be a controversial transfer.

As it stands, it is unclear what other realistic offers may materialise for Lukaku at a time when Chelsea are pressing ahead with making their own additions in the final third.

Christopher Nkunku was confirmed as a Chelsea player earlier this week, joining from RB Leipzig, while the West Londoners have allegedly agreed terms with Villarreal for Senegal international Nicolas Jackson.