AC MILAN are preparing a shock move to land Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku, according to reports in Italy.
The Belgian, 30, spent last season on loan at Inter Milan where he scored 14 goals in 37 appearances.
Romelu Lukaku spent last season on loan back at Inter MilanGetty
Gazzetta dello SportThe Belgian is now being heavily linked with a shock move to AC Milan[/caption]
While he struggled to impress during the campaign, Inter are understood to be keen to extend his second stint – three years on from him helping them lift the Serie A title during his first spell.
However, it is thought they will only submit a loan offer and cannot extend to a permanent transfer.
Now that threatens to become an issue as Gazzetta dello Sport are claiming a “sensational” idea is being developed by bitter rivals AC Milan.
Stefano Pioli’s men are preparing to offload midfielder Sandro Tonali to Newcastle in a £55million deal.
And it is being reported they are planning to reinvest that money into a deal for Lukaku.
Chelsea are keen to seal a permanent transfer for the ex-Manchester United man – who re-joined the Blues for £97.5m in 2021.
And while AC Milan are reportedly only willing to pay up to £34m, it is still a more financially lucrative deal for Chelsea than an extension of his Inter loan.
Speaking last month about Lukaku’s future, Inter president Steven Zhang said: “Romelu loves Inter, that’s very clear. He’s great guy but he’s under contract at Chelsea.”
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He went on to add: “We have to wait and speak to Chelsea to make Lukaku’s future clear.”
As well as the two Milan clubs, there has also been interest in Lukaku from Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal.
The Middle East nation have already signed N’Golo Kante – with Callum Hudson-Odoi, Edouard Mendy, Hakim Ziyech, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Kalidou Koulibaly also linked with moves to Saudi.
But Lukaku is reportedly not keen on Al-Hilal as he looks to remain in European football.
The 108-cap Belgian international – who is his country’s record scorer with 75 goals – has netted just 18 times in the league across two seasons since re-joining Chelsea from Inter.