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Chelsea and Inter Milan are hopeful of finding an agreement over a loan deal for Romelu Lukaku by the end of the week, according to reports.
The 29-year-old is set for a Stamford Bridge departure less than a year since arriving back at the club.
The forward scored 15 goals following his club-record £97.5 million move from Inter Milan but is set to return to the San Siro, on an initial loan move, this summer.
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The most recent reports have stated that Chelsea could lower their demands of a loan fee to €15 million for the season due to Inter’s struggling financial situation.
Matt Law of the Telegraph has now reported that the Blues have officially opened talks with Inter over the move, following a meeting with Lukaku.
It is hoped that an agreement could be reached by the end of the week, with Inter looking to do a deal by the end of June so that they can apply a ‘Growth Decree’ on Lukaku’s wages to make a deal more affordable.
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Law continues to state that Inter Milan have held talks with Todd Boehly in a meeting on Monday, with Lukaku's representatives also on the call as they look to secure a move away from Chelsea.
These talks are believed to have been positive and now there is a willingness on all sides to reach an agreement following the initial discussions.
A deal may not officially be concluded by the end of the week but both clubs are keen to agree on terms of a move by then, looking to complete the deal as soon as possible.
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Boehly has been convinced that moving Lukaku on this summer is the best course of action as he looks to build for a future with Thomas Tuchel at the helm.
The German is thought to be in agreement, allowing Lukaku to leave in order to focus Chelsea’s attention on attackers that the club want to sign.
Lukaku may not be the only forward to depart this summer as one of Christian Pulisic, Hakim Ziyech or Timo Werner could be facing exits, with the club are willing to listen to offers for all three attackers.
Manchester City duo Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus have also been linked with switches to Stamford Bridge as Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele could start the rebuild for Tuchel at Chelsea.
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It remains to be seen how quickly a deal can be done to see Lukaku depart for Inter as Chelsea prepare to kick-start their summer plans.
Topics: Chelsea, Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours, Romelu Lukaku, Inter Milan, Football
Nick Emms