Granovskaia set for transfer-sealing call as Chelsea target takes deal into own hands
Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku has reportedly requested to miss Sunday’s pre-season friendly against Parma because of his impending transfer to Chelsea.
The Belgium international has become the Blues’ top transfer target following links with Erling Haaland. What’s more, Chelsea have made at least one firm approach. That entailed a player-plus-cash offer involving left-back Marcos Alonso. However, Inter have made clear they want cash only.
Indeed, they are looking to balance their books amid financial struggles and will require a bigger bid.
According to Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla, Chelsea transfer chief Marina Granovskaia is planning another offer.
She is hosting a conference call on Saturday with Inter counterparts over Chelsea’s new bid.
As for the figures involved, Sky Sports News claims that the Serie A club value Lukaku at £101.7million (€120million).
Nevertheless, Sky’s Kaveh Solhekol and trusted source Fabrizio Romano have claimed an agreement will be reached for £97.5million (€115million).
While Granovskaia deals with the financials of Lukaku’s move, though, the player has reportedly taken his future into his own hands.
Pedulla adds in his report that the 28-year-old wants to miss Sunday’s pre-season clash with Parma. That way, he will not send mixed messages over his future by potentially putting in a strong performance.
Furthermore, he will have more time to focus on his move back to the Premier League as it reaches its closing stages.
Previous reports have outlined how Lukaku feels he has unfinished business at Chelsea.
He spent three years on the books of the Stamford Bridge club, but only made limited first-team appearances. Instead, he made his name on loan spells with West Brom and Everton.
Lukaku warned of Chelsea move
Despite the striker looking to prove himself back in the English top flight, one pundit has warned that he could be doing it for the wrong reasons.
Former forward Antonio Cassano said: “If the figures are those, I will personally take him there.
“But then I want to understand some of the circumstances, in England, he had two very bad experiences, a good one with Everton, and he returns there.
“I ask a question: at Inter, he gets 8 million [euros]; at Chelsea, they offer him 14 million [euros], according to what I read.
“You come back to a team that didn’t appreciate you, so I ask: are you going for the money?”
Lukaku has scored 64 goals in 95 games for Inter.
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