Chelsea's Romelu Lukaku set to secure return to Inter Milan on loan

Romelu Lukaku set to secure return to Inter Milan on loan in move that will kickstart Chelsea’s summer spending spree with Raheem Sterling at the forefront of their plans

• Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku is set to rejoin Inter Milan on loan this week 
• Inter Milan increased their offer of a loan fee to £8.5million plus add-ons 
• Lukaku’s departure will lead to Chelsea kickstarting their recruitment drive 
• Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling is Chelsea’s main target this summer 

Romelu Lukaku will seal his return to Inter Milan this week and kickstart Chelsea’s recruitment drive.

Chelsea and Inter are close to agreement on the terms of Lukaku’s loan fee after the Italians increased their opening offer of £6million to £8.5m with add-ons. A further video call is scheduled for Monday.

Chelsea have discussed potential discount on Inter players as part of negotiations with Milan Skriniar and Denzil Dumfries among the names floated but it is expected to be a straight loan deal as it stands.

Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku is set to seal his return to Inter Milan this week in a loan move

New co-owner Todd Boehly was reluctant to let £97.5m signing Lukaku go but was convinced it was best for all parties once the Belgian made it clear how determined he was to leave.

Lukaku’s exit accentuates Thomas Tuchel’s need to find another goal threat and Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling is at the forefront of plans.

Chelsea have still to make contact with City or discuss a possible fee but, with one year left on contract, they believe England international Sterling would be valued around £55m and is on wages of around £300,000 a week.

City have been prepared for Sterling’s departure, as with Gabriel Jesus, so will not stand in his way as they look to offset their own spending though Sportsmail understands the player is still considering all options.

Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling is at the forefront of Chelsea’s transfer plans

Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele is also being monitored by Chelsea this summer

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel is eager to make significant additions to his squad

Robert Lewandowski is admired by Chelsea also but his determination to join Barcelona makes that deal unlikely, however, Red Bull Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku is on their list and more attainable.

Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele, who is free this month, is another under consideration but more of a winger.

The arrival of another wide forward will put further pressure on Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech who are already questioning their roles under Tuchel.

Christopher Nkunku of RB Leipzig is another player that Chelsea are considering signing

The German coach also needs to add at least three new defenders with Sevilla’s Jules Kounde still a priority despite his recent injury.

Manchester City’s former Chelsea defender Nathan Ake is another recently mentioned but the 27-year-old, who qualifies as homegrown, is expected to stay. Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol and Paris Saint-Germain’s Presnel Kimpembe are others under discussion while full-backs will be required with Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta both wanted by Barcelona.

Manchester City target Marc Cucurella of Brighton, Rayan Ait-Nouri of Wolves and Barcelona’s Sergino Dest are among their list of targets.

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