Lukaku Snubs Chelsea Training As He Seeks To Force Inter Milan Move

Lukaku Snubs Chelsea Training As He Seeks To Force Inter Milan Move

Martin Moses
updated at July 12, 2023 at 7:45 AM
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R. Lukaku
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  • Romelu Lukaku reportedly intends to skip Chelsea's pre-season training
  • The striker was supposed to resume this week but pushed it to next week
  • Inter Milan are interested in signing Lukau back up on a permanent basis

Romelu Lukaku appears to have no intentions whatsoever of training at Cobham this week, as his professional future remains uncertain.

Lukaku was expected back to Chelsea's training sessions this week even as negotiations continue over his permanent move back to Inter Milan.

Romelu Lukaku, Chelsea, Imter Milan
Romelu Lukaku wants to go back to Inter Milan. Photo by Nicolo Campo.
Source: Getty Images

New Chelsea manager, Mauricio Pochettino, had insisted the Belgian striker report to his office, like any other player, once he returned for pre-season.

However, as the Telegraph reports, that plan has been put on hold, with the striker's return date now set for Monday next week.

The report states that Lukaku intends to stay away from the west London club to allow for time for negotiations to take place.

The Daily Mail adds Chelsea has also decided to extend the time away for other wantaway players like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Hakim Ziyech.

Chelsea rejects Inter's Lukaku offer

There is not much progress at the moment on Lukaku's deal, with Chelsea rejecting Inter Milan's first offer of €25 million for the burly 30-year-old Belgian.

The 2023 Champions League finalists are expected to offer an improved offer of at least €32mil, but the Blues reportedly want at least €40mil to partly recoup the €97.5mil they forked out for him in 2021.

Lukaku has reiterated that he only wants to return to Inter Milan and not any other club, having already reportedly rejected bids from Saudi Arabia and Juventus.

Lukaku deal angers Juventus

In related coverage, Sports Brief reported that Juventus have been left red-faced after Chelsea reportedly made public the Bianconeri’s interest in Lukaku.

Juve were in 'silent talks' with Chelsea for the former Everton man and were willing to offer striker, Dusan Vlahovic, at a discount if the Blues let the Belgian go.

However, in an apparent attempt to drive up Lukaku's price, the Blues allegedly took advantage and made Inter Milan aware of the interest in the big striker.

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Martin Moses
Martin Moses is a sports journalist with over five years of experience in media. He graduated from Multimedia University of Kenya (Bachelor of Journalism, 2017-2021)
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