Transfer Centre

Inter Milan 'frustrated over Romelu Lukaku, Juventus talks'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 15 July 2023

Inter 'frustrated over Lukaku, Juventus talks'

Inter Milan are allegedly left 'annoyed' after Chelsea forward Romelu Lukaku entered talks with Juventus at a point when they were ready to complete a transfer.

Juventus have reportedly made progress in their efforts to hijack Inter Milan's bid to sign Chelsea forward Romelu Lukaku.

The Belgium international has just spent a campaign back on loan at Inter, ending the season with 14 goals and seven assists during a year where I Nerazzurri won the Coppa Italia and reached the Champions League final.

Over the past month, Inter have been in constant dialogue with their Chelsea counterparts in an attempt to thrash out a deal, with the feeling being that the 30-year-old only had eyes to return to San Siro.

Inter have taken their time to edge closer to Chelsea's demands, the Premier League giants against another loan agreement and wanting to recoup as much of the £97.5m fee that they shelled out in 2021 as possible.

In recent days, it appeared that Inter were on the brink of making the breakthrough, with Chelsea also known to want to part ways with Lukaku before their tour of the United States.

Chelsea co-owner and chairman Todd Boehly before the match on April 18, 2023 © Reuters

However, according to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Lukaku is now open to signing for Juventus, despite insisting in the past that he would never consider a switch to Turin.

Juventus are allegedly prepared to pay £32m, plus £1.5m in add-ons, if they are able to cash in on Dusan Vlahovic by August 4.

While Inter are prepared to pay a similar fee once everything is taken into account, less money would be paid upfront, although that is something which is unlikely to stop Chelsea from agreeing to each proposal if it meets their valuation.

Nevertheless, Inter officials are said to be have been left 'annoyed' by Lukaku choosing to shut down communication with the relevant parties who are attempting to finalise a deal.

Belgium forward Romelu Lukaku during Croatia game at World Cup on December 1, 2022. © Reuters

Furthermore, Lukaku is reportedly not responding to messages from ex-teammates, giving the impression that he is far more interested in a transfer to Juventus than in the past.

If Lukaku was to choose Juventus, it would leave Chelsea in limbo, with Vlahovic needing to accept an offer from one of many clubs that are said to hold an interest in his signature.

At one point, that was said to include Chelsea, but Paris Saint-Germain look to be the current frontrunners for the Serbia international's signature.

Although Lukaku was considering offers from Saudi Arabia at one stage, it now appears that such proposals have been discarded in favour of remaining in Italy.