Chelsea suffer Romelu Lukaku transfer setback as Inter Milan make off-pitch move

Chelsea v Leicester: Match in pictures

When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Chelsea have suffered a blow in their reported bid to sign Romelu Lukaku from Inter Milan this summer as an alternative for Harry Kane and Erling Haaland. The Blues are eager to sign a new striker this summer, and had been linked with Lukaku.

Chelsea’s plans for the upcoming summer transfer window have hit a snag.

The Blues are eager to bring in a new striker this year, with Lukaku near the top of their shortlist.

Tottenham forward Kane had been one of the surprise names on the lists, but Spurs are unlikely to want to sell to a Premier League rival.

Haaland had also been linked, though it currently seems Borussia Dortmund are unlikely to allow him to leave until next summer.

As a result, Chelsea have started to look elsewhere, with a return for Lukaku on the cards.

The Belgian striker has shone during his time in Serie A, and led Inter Milan to their first title in over a decade this season.

However, Inter’s poor finances had meant that they were expected to sell players, with either Lukaku or Lautaro Martinez tipped to depart.

Chelsea were expected to take advantage of Inter’s poor finances and launch a move for Lukaku, but that now seems unlikely.

Inter have now agreed a deal with US based financial company Oaktree Capital.

The club will bring in £263million in order to offset some of the losses suffered as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a statement, Inter said: “Following a process of due diligence and with a collective long-term vision of the project, Inter have today finalized a financing deal with funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management.

“With this financing deal, the shareholder will continue supporting Inter to overcome their difficulties and the opportunities lost during the COVID-19 period.”

The financing will apparently be used, in part, to buy out the minority stake of Hong Kong investment firm LionRock, which owns 31 per-cent of the club.

It will also provide the club with breathing space ahead of a busy summer transfer window.

While players are still expected to be sold, it’s unlikely they’ll have to slash their wage bill as drastically as they were originally expected to.

That could lead to them keeping hold of Lukaku and Martinez, who will be crucial to Inter’s chances of retaining Serie A next year as well as competing in the Champions League.

Source: Read Full Article