Transfer Talk: Chelsea could be in Luk in the race for Romelu

Inter Milan have told Chelsea that Romelu Lukaku can return to Stamford Bridge — if they stump up £100million.

Thomas Tuchel’s European champions are in the hunt for a big-name forward and are thought to have abandoned hopes of landing Borussia Dortmund sensation Erling Haaland this summer.

Leading their list of alternatives is 28-year-old Lukaku, who has history with the Blues having made a handful of appearances for the club early in his career.

While on Chelsea's books, the Belgian marksman enjoyed loan spells with West Brom and Everton before joining the Toffees permanently in July 2014. 

He has since gone on to establish himself as one of the game’s deadliest finishers — netting 24 times as Inter landed a first Scudetto in 11 years last term.

Chelsea are now keen on a reunion and want to take advantage of the Italian club’s precarious financial situation, according to The Metro.

Though the Serie A champions are reluctant to lose their talisman, club officials are reported to have confessed that a bid of £100m would be impossible to refuse.

Achraf Hakimi’s £68m departure to Paris Saint-Germain earlier in the window was a necessity and at least one more exit is expected from the San Siro in the coming weeks.

The Sun say Lukaku, who was disappointed to see Inter part with boss Antonio Conte, is open to the move as he still has something to prove at Chelsea.

He has already netted 113 goals in 252 Premier League appearances, putting him inside the division’s top 20 all-time scorers.

Talks over Paul stall

The Mirror believe Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain are ‘miles apart’ on their valuation of midfielder Paul Pogba. 

United have a decision to make on the future of their French star with the 28-year-old yet to sign a new contract at Old Trafford — meaning he could leave on a free next summer.

If they are to recoup a fee for a man they shelled out £89m on back in 2016, a deal will have to be struck imminently.

Although PSG view £42m as a reasonable price for a player in the final year of his contract, United want considerably more. 

But the French giants believe their position strengthens with each passing day — and are also on strong terms with Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola.

Raiola, 53, has become a notorious figure in football’s most high-profile transfer dealings in recent years and worked with PSG on their capture of Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Should any potential transfer reach the stage of contract negotiations, Les Parisiens will hope that such previously smooth completions will pay dividends once again.

In other news

Arsenal have offered a player-plus-cash deal for Leicester midfielder James Maddison, according to Football.London.

Maddison, 24, has long been reported as a top target for the Gunners but they are unwilling to meet the £60m-plus asking price. 

As a result, one of their current fringe stars is reportedly being offered as a makeweight in any potential deal — though it is not currently clear who the player in question is.

Marca report Liverpool are one of several Premier League clubs battling Villarreal for the services of Bournemouth forward Arnaut Danjuma.

The Spanish outlet believe the Cherries are holding out for roughly £21.5m for the 24-year-old Dutchman, who racked up 17 goals and eight assists in all competitions in 2020-21.