Chelsea budget set for clarity as Todd Boehly stubbornness causes ‘summit’

Pochettino states aims for Chelsea after taking over as manager

Chelsea look set to accept a sizeable loss on the then-club-record £98million they splurged to bring Romelu Lukaku back to Stamford Bridge in 2021. Todd Boehly’s resistance to a second successive loan has reportedly led to an imminent ‘transfer summit’ between the Blues and Inter Milan.

Lukaku returned to the San Siro last summer after struggling to impress in his first season back at Chelsea.

And despite failing to replicate the prolific exploits of his first stint in Italy, the Nerazzurri are said to be keen on bringing him back permanently for a second time.

Previous reports claimed Inter were seeking potential cheaper alternatives after Chelsea refused to let their big-money import leave on another loan.

But now Gazetta Dello Sport report that Inter plan to accelerate attempts to buy Lukaku due to the 30-year-old’s willingness to take a pay cut to prioritise a return.

Figures from Chelsea and the Serie A giants are primed to meet at the start of the week to discuss a fee.

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The report states that Inter are optimistic they can seal Lukaku’s services for less than Chelsea’s £38m valuation, with a deal worth between £26m and £34m being eyed.

The significant loss on the £98m spent on Lukaku two years ago will ultimately come as a blow to Chelsea.

But the west Londoners were expected to cut their losses this summer due to looming FFP limitations and the sheer size of the squad Mauricio Pochettino inherited.

And the arrivals of attacking duo Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson for a combined £84m intensified the need for player sales.

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Chelsea have made a productive start to the summer transfer window in terms of outgoings, heavily utilising Saudi Arabia’s relentless hunt for Europe’s high-profile names.

Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly and N’Golo Kante have made a Saudi switch, while Cesar Azpilicueta and Tiemoue Bakayoko have joined the latter in leaving as free agents.

Kai Havertz, Mateo Kovacic and Mason Mount’s moves to Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United, respectively, have helped raise funds.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek has also joined AC Milan, soon to be followed by Christian Pulisic, and Hakim Ziyech is also thought to be on his way out.

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