Chelsea could have perfect shirt number available for Romelu Lukaku after transfer

Tammy Abraham: All you need to know about Arsenal target

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Chelsea could end up having the ideal shirt number to offer Romelu Lukaku after the striker reportedly told Inter Milan he wants to move back to Stamford Bridge. Chelsea have moved quickly in their attempt to sign Lukaku after turning their attention away from Erling Haaland.

Lukaku spent three years as a Chelsea player between 2011 and 2014 but had two loan spells away from the club before leaving on a permanent deal.

He is now set to finally be given a shot at being the main striker at the Blues.

The Athletic claims the 28-year-old told Inter on Tuesday he wants to move back to the Premier League club.

Lukaku wore the No 18 shirt during his first spell at Chelsea.

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However, he could land his preferred No 9 once he completes his return.

Lukaku has donned the No 9 at both United and Inter, as well as for his country Belgium.

The No 9 shirt at Chelsea is currently occupied by Tammy Abraham but his future appears to be away from the club.

Arsenal are interested in signing Abraham, who fell out of favour under Thomas Tuchel last season.

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Serie A side Atalanta are also keen on the England international, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Romano says Chelsea are ‘confident’ of signing Lukaku and Inter want Atalanta star Duvan Zapata as a replacement.

Therefore Abraham can potentially complete a transfer triangle.

The 23-year-old was the joint-top goalscorer for Chelsea in all competitions last season.

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However, the impending arrival would only limit his chances further.

Former Crystal Palace midfielder Darren Ambrose believes the time has come for Abraham to look for a new club.

“Thomas Tuchel is not a fan of Tammy Abraham,” Ambrose told talkSPORT.

“Again, I think talking about taking a slight step back to go forwards; I think Tammy has to do that.

“I think there will be takers, for sure, for £40m and I think he has been okay at Chelsea. He hasn’t had the opportunities he wanted under Thomas Tuchel.

“But that happens sometimes with managers and some players; sometimes you don’t get these opportunities when you can bring in players.

“I think to trial Havertz as a false nine as opposed to putting Tammy in…I think he will know that it is probably right to go.

“Try and become a main man somewhere and see where that takes him.”

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