Chelsea to restart Lukaku talks, Inter ready to meet key demand (reliability: 4 stars)

Chelsea are prepared to restart talks with Inter Milan over Romelu Lukaku's transfer, according to the Evening Standard's Nizaar Kinsella.

Two weeks ago, the Blues rejected a loan offer from the Serie A club, insisting that they only want a permanent transfer.

Now, Inter are reportedly prepared to include an obligation to buy Lukaku at the end of the second loan spell, meaning that Chelsea would recoup some of the £97.5m fee they spent on the Belgian in 2021.

Now, the move is dependent on how much Inter will offer for Lukaku. Such an arrangement would allow the Italian side to spread the fee over two summers which is convenient for a cash-strapped club.

Lukaku has already rejected advances from a Saudi club, stating that he only wants a return to Inter.