Chelsea are set to hold firm on their valuation of Romelu Lukaku as Inter Milan plan a ‘new proposal’ to sign the forward.
Lukaku spent last season on loan at Inter Milan and is keen to re-join the Italian side on a permanent basis, but negotiations between the two clubs have so far failed to find an agreement.
Chelsea value the Belgium international at £40m and are not prepared to compromise on that asking price, having paid £97.5 million to sign Lukaku from Inter in 2021 before the forward was allowed to return to the San Siro on loan after a disappointing debut season.
Inter have so far failed to meet Chelsea’s asking price and the Times are reporting that the west Londoners have not deemed present negotiations as ‘serious’, after an opening offer of £23m was turned down.
However, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Inter remain focused on a deal to sign the 30-year-old and are preparing an improved bid in an effort to secure his signing.
The Nerazzurri are aware that there is interest from divisional rivals Juventus, who are reportedly considering a swap-deal that would see Dusan Vlahovic head to Chelsea in exchange for a fee of around €25m (£21.4m) and Lukaku.
Lukaku’s preference would be to remain at Inter next season however, with the forward having also turned down an approach from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.
