Chelsea want Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski to replace Romelu Lukaku — ESPN’s Insider Notebook has the latest. PLUS: Why Barcelona missed out on signing Darwin Nunez to Liverpool.
Jump to: Barcelona missed out on Darwin | FA stunned by Southgate backlash | Athletic target Pochettino
Lukaku out, Lewandowski in?
Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel would like to replace Romelu Lukaku with Robert Lewandowski, but there are significant obstacles to completing both deals, sources told ESPN.
Lukaku is keen on rejoining Inter Milan and endured a disappointing first season back at Stamford Bridge — with eight goals in 26 Premier League games — after leaving the Serie A club for €115 million last summer.
Sources told ESPN that talks took place between Lukaku and the club in recent days, during which Chelsea signalled their willingness to allow the Belgian striker to leave the club. However, the Blues want to recoup the vast majority of the club-record fee they paid just a year earlier, while Inter are short on cash and would prefer a loan deal.
Chelsea had originally been asking for around €20m-€25m to lend Lukaku for just one season in an effort to offset any depreciation in his transfer value given he turns 30 next year. However, they are now willing to accept a significantly lower fee and talks are continuing — it is as yet undecided whether any agreement will include an option or obligation to make the move permanent, or how his £300,000-a-week wages will be paid.
– Don’t have ESPN? Get instant access
– Full Premier League fixtures schedule 2022-23
– New season: The storylines you can’t miss
Simultaneously, Chelsea are seeking a striker of their own to reshape their attack. Chelsea held an interest in Erling Haaland but were unable to compete with Manchester City due to sanctions blocking transfers imposed by the U.K. government arising from former owner Roman Abramovich’s alleged ties with Russia president Vladimir Putin.
Tuchel has long been an admirer of…
Source : espn
