Priority emerges as Marotta says Inter will not break bank for ‘target’ Lukaku

Inter Milan will not be held to ransom over a deal for “target” Romelu Lukaku, according to Inter CEO Giuseppe Marotta.

The Chelsea striker is a player who is wanted back at the San Siro and the feeling is mutual. New talks are underway between the two clubs as they try and find some common ground on a transfer.

Lukaku was a £97.5m signing from Inter by Chelsea last summer, but his return has turned sour. After scoring in his first away game things went badly awry, which prompted the striker’s controversial comments at Christmas time.

Chelsea want as much as £20m in the form of a loan fee, but Inter are hoping £9m plus bonuses will be enough.

The Times claims that Inter believe they can get Chelsea to compromise because Thomas Tuchel has given the transfer the green light.

90min claim that Lukaku has agreed personal terms with Inter. He has apparently agreed a slight pay cut and Chelsea are willing to pay some of his salary while he is on loan in Serie A.

Marotta has confirmed Inter have earmarked a move for Lukaku, but he said the deal would not get ratified on Monday.

“It’s a feasible path, but there are some difficulties and we need to evaluate whether there’s a chance to make it. We won’t announce Lukaku’s return today,” he told Radio Anch’Io, as quoted by FCInternews.

Inter are also in talks with striker Paulo Dybala, who is available as a free agent after leaving Juventus.

Inter looking to ‘reduce wage bill’

“Lukaku and Dybala are our targets, but we need to consider financial issues,” Marotta added, via Football Italia.

“We are in talks with these two players and we’ll be happy if we sign them. If not, we’ll consider different targets. The single player is not important, what matters is the group and this is already a solid team.”

Marotta has disclosed that the Nerazzurri’s priority this summer is to balance the books and try to strengthen the team.

“We have our target: make a capital gain from transfers and reduce the wage bill. It’s in our interest to keep a strong team because this is the history of this club. We believe Lautaro is fundamental to pursuing these objectives,” added Marotta.

“He (Simone Inzaghi) will have new signings, but I don’t know who they will be. Mkhitaryan will be official in the next few days, the same goes for Onana.

“We are evaluating a bit of everything, also players from the Primavera team who became Italy champions. We know that we must wait for young players and build a strong team. We’ll try to offer Inzaghi a strong team from the start of the season.”

Romelu Lukaku loan HERE WE GO

Romelu Lukaku will leave Chelsea this summer on loan to Inter Milan who have agreed to pay his reduced wages in full

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