Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku wants to return to Premier League side Chelsea, with whom he had an unsuccessful stint from 2011-14.
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Belgium international Romelu Lukaku is keen to return to Premier League side Chelsea and has asked his club to accept a third bid for him. This is according to numerous media reports, including The Guardian and The Athletic. Lukaku got his break in English football at Chelsea. The club signed him for GBP 18 million in 2011. However, he barely featured in the first team, instead completing three loan stints while at the club. One came at West Bromwich Albion with two coming at Everton, before he joined the Merseyside club permanently. He did almost return to Chelsea from Everton, but joined Manchester United instead.
Ironically, he snubbed then-Chelsea manager Antonio Conte – only to eventually play for him at Inter. When Conte left Inter this summer, many expected Lukaku would follow suit.
However, he publicly declared his intention to stay and said he had positive talks with new manager Simone Inzaghi. So why the change of heart suddenly?
The feeling remains within Lukaku that he has unfinished business at Chelsea. It is easy to understand why; he developed into a top striker in England, but never at Chelsea. The Belgian grew up supporting the Blues and idolised Chelsea legend Didier Drogba, who he wants to emulate.
Therefore, the only club that could realistically tempt him to move would be Chelsea. That appears to be the case, as he has set in motion a transfer back to the Blues.
It is worth noting, however, that Lukaku was not Chelsea’s first option. That would have been Erling Haaland, the Borussia Dortmund striker widely seen as football’s next big thing.
However, Dortmund are under no pressure to sell. They qualified for the Champions League and also earned a tidy sum from the transfer of Jadon Sancho to Manchester United.
Therefore, despite the 2020-21 Champions League winners having the budget, a sale for Haaland appeared unlikely. Hence they have turned their attention to Lukaku.
A goalscorer is something Chelsea are desperately in need of. The Blues are good at creating chances, but less so at finishing them off. Adding a striker like Lukaku will ease the burden on the wide forwards.
Chelsea have already seen two bids for the Belgian turned down. A third, however, will likely be accepted.
