already scouring the market for a replacement for the striker. The Belgian, who cost £97.5million last summer, is looking for a route out of Stamford Bridge despite playing just one season on his return to England.
football.london understands Lukaku advised his lawyer to find him a way back to Inter Milan recently after a season where he was heavily criticised in a Blues shirt. Despite totalling 15 goals in all competitions, the signing has been widely deemed as a failure after massive expectations on the striker's shoulders. The way Lukaku handled himself off the pitch has left a sour taste among Chelsea supporters.
Chelsea would prefer to sell Lukaku but understand that might be difficult with the club looking to recoup most of the £97.5m they splashed out on him less than 12 months ago. So, a loan move seems more feasible this summer, but his £325,000-a-week wages complicate any such deal. Chelsea may be forced into paying a large sum of his salary.
READ MORE: Thomas Tuchel must avoid £42m transfer mistake amid Chelsea interest in Gabriel Jesus
As of right now, though, it does look like Lukaku will be playing his football elsewhere by the time the next season rolls around in August, leaving Chelsea with plenty to do in the summer transfer market, which is now officially open. There have been several attackers identified as targets already as Thomas Tuchel takes full control of the transfer-related business.
Christopher Nkunku is wanted by the Blues, with the RB Leipzig attacker setting the Bundesliga alight last season. Ousmane Dembele remains a target for the club, with the France international set to become a free agent by the end of the month.
These are two targets that would have been looked at regardless of Lukaku staying or leaving. Chelsea need to add more fire-power to what was, at times, a blunt attack last season.
One man identified as the player to potentially replace Lukaku is Gabriel Jesus of Manchester City. Chelsea have been in contact with the Brazil international's agent in recent days, football.london understands.
Jesus, who is said to be available for £43m this summer, has just over 12 months remaining on his contract with the Premier League champions and could look to leave the club as he seeks more regular first-team football. Arsenal and Tottenham have also expressed an interest in the 25-year-old striker.
The City forward scored eight goals and registered nine assists in the Premier League last term. However, after starting just 21 matches in the top-flight, it works out to be almost a direct goal contribution in every match.
The Brazilian has played pretty much everywhere in the front three under Pep Guardiola and has established himself as an extremely unselfish player out of possession. His pressing off the ball makes him stand out from other attacking targets, but he has also shown his talents in front of goal during his time at the Etihad Stadium.
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, when talking about his former club's interest in Jesus to CBS Sports back in April, explained just what sort of player Chelsea would be getting if they did indeed bring the striker to west London. When asked what he likes about Jesus, Henry replied: "What he can give offensively to the team.
"We saw that he scored four goals at the weekend [vs Watford]. When he is in the box, he's one of the three that is playing, or since [Sergio] Aguero left, he has that [number] nine instinct. He has what the number nine would smell.
"What I like with him is that he puts pressure, whether it's on the left, on the right or in the middle. He doesn't have a problem to defend in those situations by coming back and helping his team."
It seems as if Jesus is very much liked at City, though. Guardiola has raved about his ability in the past, and more recently, Kevin De Bruyne called on his team-mate to stay put in Manchester because he "makes the team better". De Bruyne said: "Since he [Jesus] came here, I've had a good relationship with him. I think we've found each other lots of times.
"He plays with so much energy. He's always there. He helps the team out. I never have any doubts about his quality, and he's still so young. I hope he can play many times with me because I think he makes this team better."
