Chelsea have reopened talks with Juventus over the transfer of Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku in their bid to acquire Serbian striker Dušan Vlahović.
The 23-year-old has been one of the most-wanted strikers of the past four seasons since his breakout at Fiorentina. A number of Premier League sides wanted him but he opted to remain in Italy.
The decision has not paid off for the formerly free-scoring striker who is now staring down the exit path from the Allianz Stadium in Turin.
Lukaku, meanwhile, spent the last year on loan at Internazionale after a terrible return to Chelsea two seasons prior. The 30-year-old found his rhythm and is keen on remaining in Italy. However, he has tested the loyalty of the Inter fans and board, who have washed their hands off him.
He has no future at Chelsea under new boss Mauricio Pochettino, who wants Vlahović to take his place.
Both teams have a vested interest in each others’ players but the price tag for the 23-year-old Balkan gives Chelsea a cause for concern. This is why the club – according to reports – has decided to offer Lukaku and £38.5 million in exchange for the former Partizan Belgrade player to Juventus in a player plus cash swap deal.
The report claims that Juventus were waiting on Paris Saint-Germain to make a move for their striker in order to facilitate their move for Lukaku.
The French Ligue 1 champions have instead chosen to go for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Randal Kolo Muani and Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele; a move which comes as a surprise to the football media.
Following PSG’s decision, Juventus floated the idea of a player plus cash swap deal to Chelsea, who are ready to sit down and negotiate the terms of the transfer.
The £38.5 million is the maximum that the Blues are willing to offer in the cash part of the deal, according to reports. They will be seeking to pay as low as £21.5 million when they sit down with Juventus to negotiate. This is due to the Serbian’s wages as a Bianconero.
Lukaku, meanwhile, is trying to placate Inter fans who feel betrayed at his possible switch to the Old Lady’s home. In an interaction on TikTok, an Inter fan implored Lukaku, saying: “If you sign for Juve, NEVER say come on Juve.”
The Belgian striker laughed and responded, “No no never”, before adding: “I don’t think the deal will go through.”
Fellow Inter striker Lautaro Martinez expressed his disappointment over his strike partner’s potential move to their Scudetto rivals.
He told Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport: “I was disappointed, it’s the truth. I also tried to call him in those days of chaos, he never answered me, the same he did with my other companions.
“After so many years together, after so many things lived together, I was disappointed. Thankfully, it’s his choice. I wish him the best. But I didn’t expect this attitude.”
