Lukaku completes Chelsea medical ahead of flight to London
Lukaku completes Chelsea medical ahead of flight to London
Monday Premier League transfer news includes Chelsea closing in on bringing back Romelu Lukaku, and Arsenal seeking a Martin Odegaard replacement…
Our partners at Sky Sports reported on Wednesday that Lukaku has asked Inter Milan to accept a suitable bid from Chelsea.
The latest update suggests that Chelsea and Inter have agreed a $135 million transfer fee for Lukaku, who led Inter to the Italian title last season.
Romelu Lukaku leaving Milano airport 30 minutes ago after medical completed: “I’m gonna send a message [to Inter fans] soon”, he told to @SkySport. 🔵🇬🇧 #CFC
He’s flying now to London in order to join Chelsea for €115m. Announcement expected this week. 🛫 pic.twitter.com/nUsw9pHt6D
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 9, 2021
Here’s a look at the situation a little closer, as Chelsea appear to have found their clinical finisher and it isn’t Erling Haaland or Harry Kane.
Chelsea have spent the last few days testing the waters surrounding Romelu Lukaku in an effort to bring the big Belgian striker back to Stamford Bridge seven years after he departed rather unceremoniously.
Now 28 years old and a well-established world-class striker, Lukaku looks like costing Chelsea $135 million (or more) after selling him to Everton for just $38 million in 2014.
The reigning European champions would prefer to pay closer to $110 or $120 million for Lukaku, but Inter Milan are said to be holding out for closer $140 million.
Chelsea are likely negotiating from a position of power, as the reigning Italian champions reportedly need to sell one more high-profile player this summer to balance the club’s shaky finances and there are few (if any) other clubs able to pay anything close to nine-figures for a single player.
Inter have already lost manager Antonio Conte over their financial issues, while star right back Achraf Hakimi has also left for PSG. Losing Lukaku is a hammer blow for Inter Milan but it now feels like he is finally ready to lead the line for Chelsea and he will slot in perfectly to Thomas Tuchel’s system as the lone forward who holds up play and allows Havertz, Mount, Werner, Pulisic and Ziyech buzz around him.
NBC News
