Thomas Tuchel Urged To Sign Bayern Munich Star To Replace Romelu Lukaku

Thomas Tuchel has been urged to replace Romelu Lukaku with Bayern Munich forward Robert Lewandowski this summer if the Belgium is to leave Chelsea for Inter Milan.

Lukaku, 29, could leave Chelsea after just one season following his £97.5 million club-record return to Stamford Bridge and return to Inter, the club he left just last summer.

The Belgium international scored 15 goals in all competitions during the 2021/22 campaign and is unlikely to get another shot at improving his underwhelming first season back in west London with both clubs in talks over a loan move, despite Technical and Performance Advisor Petr Cech backing Lukaku to have a strong season.

"I personally believe that he will have a great season because last season we saw how strong he can be at the beginning when he came," admitted Cech.

"Unfortunately, the long-term injury he sustained in the game against (Aston) Villa slowed everything down, then he had Covid as well. We could towards the end of the season he was fit and ready to go again, how strong he is.

"We had a particular season as a team around Christmas with Covid issues, he was one of those players affected too. I have full confidence that he will bounce back, he will have a strong season."

Chelsea have already been linked with several attackers after the summer transfer window opened last week. Raheem Sterling, Christopher Nkunku, Gabriel Jesus and Ousmane Dembele have all been suggested as targets for Tuchel, who is set to be backed by the new owners with a £200 million transfer budget.

Lewandowski has been on Chelsea's radar and recently made it clear of his wish to leave Bayern Munich. However, the Poland international wants to make the move to Spain to join Barcelona.

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."

According to Salary Sport, Lewandowski currently earns in the region of £329,000-a-week, but his transfer valuations remains unclear should Bayern, who are currently reluctant to do so, let him leave this summer.

Despite Lewandowski's hopes of joining Barcelona, Chelsea have been urged by former defender Scott Minto to try to replace Lukaku with the 32-year-old.

"I personally would like to see Tuchel somehow have the conversation with Lukaku and say ‘what do we need to do to get the best out of you’," Minto told talkSPORT.

"It’s not going to happen. We know that. Tuchel has said it’s not about us adjusting to him, he has to adjust to us. It has clearly not happened.

"Lewandowski would be absolutely superb in the short term. Even if he’s on a two-year contract, he might get away with a three.

"He’s proven right now. Chelsea are all about the here and now, they have been for the last two decades."