Juventus Infuriated as Chelsea Tell Inter of Their Interest in Lukaku

• Juventus are interested in signing Romelu Lukaku, however, they face a number of hurdles
• Lukaku spent last season on loan at Inter Milan, who are open to making the move permanent
• Chelsea have now resorted to a cheeky tactic to rack up Lukaku’s fee, leaving Juventus angry

Italian giants Juventus have been left red-faced after Chelsea reportedly made public Bianconeri’s interest in Romelu Lukaku.

Lukaku re-joined Chelsea from Inter Milan in 2021, but his return has been anything but comfortable as he struggled to regain his form in the Premier League.

Chelsea decided to loan him back to Inter last year, and the Nerazzuri are now open to making the loan move permanent as the Belgian appears to have no place in new Chelsea boss, Mauricio Pochettino’s, plans.

Chelsea will unlikely recover the £97m they paid for Lukaku in 2021, but the West Londoners are reportedly keen on getting a good deal for the 30-year-old.

Chelsea set the record straight with Lukaku and Inter Milan over a permanent move

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According to The Mirror, Juventus were in silent talks with Chelsea over a move for the former Everton man, with Chelsea reportedly wanting £38.4m.

Corriere dello Sport, via Football London reported on Sunday that Juventus were willing to offer their striker Dusan Vlahovic at a discount if the Blues gave them Lukaku.

But in an apparent attempt to drive up the price of Lukaku, Chelsea took advantage of Juventus' approach and made Inter aware that there is some competition for Lukaku’s services.

The publication now claims Inter are gearing up for a second bid for Lukaku, something that has angered Juventus chiefs.

It will be interesting to see how the saga unfolds as Lukaku has previously been on record stating he would never join Inter’s rivals because of his loyalty to the club.

Lukaku, 30, has also been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, but that is highly unlikely to happen because of all the interest from top guns in Europe.

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Juventus to drop out of Conference League

Sports Brief also reported on Juventus’ decision to drop out of the Conference League next season after an agreement with UEFA.

The Bianconeri have had a turbulent 2022/23 season which saw them docked 10 points in May following an investigation into the club’s transfer dealings.

The club has come to an agreement with UEFA that will see them not participate in Europe next season in a bid to avoid any further punishment over financial fair play.