Robert Lewandowski has dealt Chelsea a blow as the Bayern Munich striker confirmed his intentions to sign for Barcelona this summer.
The 33-year-old is set to depart Bayern Munich, with his contract in Germany expiring at the end of next season.
However, Chelsea have been handed a blow in their pursuit of the forward as he has his heart set on a move to Xavi Hernandez’s Barcelona this summer.
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Ben Jacobs reported that Lewandowski is ‘somewhat on Chelsea’s radar’ but the Poland international is pushing for a three-year deal at Barcelona.
This means that any potential move to Chelsea would be a ‘long shot’, as things stand.
Lewandowski previously stated that he will not consider other offers due to his desire to join Barcelona.
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He said: "No other offers were even considered by me other than that of Barcelona. I want to leave Bayern, that’s clear.
"It's time for a new stage for me. I hope the fans will understand. I would get the chance to take on a new challenge at another club for a few more years. That's my wish."
This comes as Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku is desperately seeking a return to Inter Milan this summer as the Serie A side are seeking a loan deal for their former man.
Scoring 15 goals in the 2021/22 season for Chelsea, Lukaku underperformed on his return to Stamford Bridge and the £97.5m man could already be heading out.
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Jacobs continued to reveal that Chelsea would be open to a ‘salary-sharing loan’ with Inter for the forward but the Blues would demand a large loan fee for their number nine.
Thomas Tuchel’s side are keen to line up a replacement for Lukaku before allowing him to depart as the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital consortium, having promised that Tuchel can take the lead on the Blues’ transfer business this summer.
This includes taking charge of outgoing transfers, with it being clear that Lukaku does not suit the system employed by the German head coach at Chelsea.
With Lewandowski’s heart set on a move to Barcelona and Lukaku wishing to join Inter, it remains to be seen as to who will lead Chelsea’s line next season.
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Kai Havertz had been deployed as a number nine, often preferred to Lukaku, but Tuchel may have his sights set on bringing in a striker in the upcoming transfer window.
Chelsea will be hoping that whoever is chosen can come in and help the Blues close the gap to Manchester City and Liverpool in the Premier League next season.
Topics: Chelsea, Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours, Robert Lewandowski, Bayern Munich, Barcelona
Nick Emms