Romelu Lukaku 'emerges as summer transfer target for Real Madrid'

Real Madrid could reportedly move for Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku during this summer's transfer window.

Los Blancos are widely expected to sign a new forward ahead of the 2023-24 campaign, with Mariano Diaz set to leave on a free transfer, which would leave the Spanish and European champions without a recognised replacement for Karim Benzema through the middle.

Alvaro Rodriguez hit the headlines when he scored against Atletico Madrid in the Madrid derby last weekend, but the 18-year-old only has three senior appearances to his name.

According to Fichajes, Lukaku has emerged as a target for Carlo Ancelotti's side, with the Belgian desperate to leave the Blues on a permanent basis this summer.

The report claims that the 29-year-old 'dreams of representing Real Madrid', and the capital giants have identified him as a potential acquisition to bolster their forward options.

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Lukaku starred for Inter between 2019 and 2021, scoring 64 goals in 95 appearances, before re-signing for Chelsea in a deal worth £97.5m.

The forward only managed 15 goals for the Blues during the 2021-22 campaign, though, and he returned to Inter on loan over the summer.

Lukaku has had a number of fitness problems this season, which have restricted him to just 15 appearances in all competitions, scoring four goals and contributing one assist in the process.

Inter are said to be keen to re-sign the Belgian on a permanent basis, but the Italian club's CEO Giuseppe Marotta recently said that it was far from certain he would also be at San Siro next season.

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"Lukaku to stay also next year? It's too early to decide, he will return to Chelsea and we will see what's next," Marotta told Sky Italia. "Lukaku wants to stay at Inter, for sure - we know Romelu's intention and so we will see if we can negotiate his return here."

Chelsea's plans for Lukaku this summer are unclear, but they would be in a strong position to negotiate a high transfer fee, as the forward has a contract at Stamford Bridge until June 2026.

The Belgian has scored twice in two Champions League appearances this season, including the winner in the first leg of Inter's last-16 affair with Porto.

Lukaku has only netted twice in Serie A this season, although he has now played in his team's last six matches in Italy's top flight, which is his best run of games in 2022-23.

Chelsea could attempt to sell the striker for big money this summer in order to raise the funds required to move for Napoli's Victor Osimhen.