Inter Milan will have to convince Chelsea to sign defender Milan Skriniar if they wish to take Romelu Lukaku on loan this summer, according to reports in Italy.
The Belgian looks set for a Chelsea departure less than a year after his £97.5 million return to Stamford Bridge.
However, for a deal to take place, Inter must convince Chelsea to sign Skriniar, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
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The report states that the solution to reaching an agreement for Lukaku would be to sell Skriniar to Chelsea.
The Blues shouldn’t take much convincing as Thomas Tuchel is reportedly a fan of the Slovakian defender.
The head coach will be given full control over the transfer window this summer and have the final say on incomings, with Skriniar potentially arriving.
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With Antonio Rudiger officially joining Real Madrid and Andreas Christensen being named on the Chelsea released list at Stamford Bridge, Tuchel’s side are in the market for central defenders.
Cesar Azpilicueta could still depart, with Barcelona keen on bringing the Spaniard back to his home nation this summer.
Jules Kounde, Matthijs de Ligt, Presnel Kimpembe, Kalidou Koulibalyand Josko Gvardiol are all names that have done the rounds in the press in regards to potential defensive incomings, alongside Skriniar.
The Blues could kill two birds with one stone as they also look to offload Lukaku as with both Inter Milan and Chelsea remain in talks over how a deal can be struck.
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It was thought that a loan move will be the most ideal situation, with the Blues demanding a £20 million fee to take him for the season.
A deal to include Skriniar for Lukaku could be seen as an alternative avenue to be explore, although Paris Saint-Germain also have interest in the defender as Kimpembe could be out the door and reunited with Tuchel.
Chelsea are also reportedly interested in Inter duo Stefan de Vrij and Denzel Dumfries, who could be included in a deal.
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It remains to be seen as to how the deal for Lukaku will be structured as it looks increasingly likely that the Belgian will return to the San Siro after struggling at Chelsea.
The Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital consortium have their work cut out as they look to rebuild the Chelsea squad in an attempt to challenge with Manchester City and Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table, as well as compete in European competitions.
Topics: Milan Skriniar, Inter Milan, Chelsea, Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours, Romelu Lukaku
Nick Emms