Incoming Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly open to working with Romelu Lukaku at Stamford Bridge, as the striker prepares to return to the Blues this summer.
Pochettino is set to take charge of Chelsea at the end of what has been a hugely disappointing campaign for the capital outfit, who currently sit down in 12th position in the Premier League table.
The Blues are facing an important transfer window, as they attempt to trim their squad following their activity last summer and in January, in addition to bringing in more players.
Lukaku will return to Chelsea at the end of the season following a loan spell at Inter Milan, with the Serie A giants deciding against attempting to re-sign the Belgium international on a permanent basis.
There have been suggestions that there is no future for the 30-year-old at Stamford Bridge, but according to The Telegraph, Pochettino is open to working with him next season.
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The president of Lukaku's management Roc Nation Sports has said that a decision on the forward's future will not be made until after the Champions League final, where Inter will take on Manchester City.
"It's too early to tell," he said. "Romelu is in the final of the Champions League. Once the season's over, we'll all sit down and assess where he is and what the opportunities are.
"We're just so thrilled that he's healthy and that he's playing well, and then we will decide all of this season after the season's over."
Lukaku has scored 12 goals and registered six assists in 32 appearances for Inter during the 2022-23 campaign, having worked his way back from two separate thigh problems.
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The Belgian initially represented Chelsea between 2011 and 2014, but he failed to score in 15 appearances for the club and eventually joined Everton on a permanent basis following loan spells with the Toffees and West Bromwich Albion.
Lukaku then turned out for Manchester United between 2017 and 2019 before moving to Inter, where he scored 64 goals over two seasons during a highly-successful period.
Chelsea re-signed the forward in a £97.5m deal in the summer of 2021, but he only scored 15 goals for the capital outfit during the 2021-22 season and was allowed to re-join Inter on loan last year.
The Blues are also being heavily linked with Inter's Lautaro Martinez, but they are likely to find it difficult to sign the Argentine due to their absence from next season's Champions League.
Lukaku, who still has another three years left to run on his contract with Chelsea, has helped his loan club reach this season's Champions League final by contributing three goals and one assist in the competition.
Matt Law
