Chelsea are close to agreeing a deal to re-sign striker Romelu Lukaku from Internazionale. The clubs are in talks over an €115m (£97.5m) fee for the 28-year-old, who spent three years on Chelsea’s books from 2011.
The Belgium international played a key role in Inter winning Serie A last season, scoring 24 goals and registering 11 assists. He pledged his future to them in June but has since been convinced by his former club’s offer.
Chelsea’s determination to sign him is understood to have persuaded the former Manchester United and Everton player that it is time for a new challenge.
Lukaku is set to become the most expensive signing in Chelsea’s history if he joins, and he could earn about £250,000 a week. The 28-year-old is seen as a more attainable target than Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland and Tottenham’s Harry Kane.
Chelsea’s manager, Thomas Tuchel, also remains keen on Sevilla’s Jules Koundé, though the clubs are yet to agree a price for the France centre-back. Koundé has a release clause of €80m (£68m), which Chelsea are not willing to trigger.
