Once sanctions were confirmed on Roman Abramovich, and the impact of those sanctions on Chelsea became clear, it was obvious some stars of the current squad would be linked with summer exits.
And it was equally obvious that Romelu Lukaku would be among them.
The striker hasn’t had a great time since his big money return to Stamford Bridge, and his interview with the Italian media, in which he expressed his ongoing love for Inter Milan, didn’t go down well with supporters.
Saturday’s edition of Mundo Deportivo has both Lukaku and Timo Werner on the front page, presenting them as possible targets for Barcelona should they fail to sign Erling Haaland.
However, the whole thing is just speculation and isn’t built on much, and that’s exactly how it’s presented.
Saturday’s edition of Gazzetta dello Sport is a different thing entirely, and even brings Antonio Conte’s Tottenham into the picture.
The Italian newspaper’s front page says Lukaku ‘says yes’ to a reduced salary to rejoin Inter, but a move could only happen on loan.
The Tottenham slant feels entirely speculative, and is based on what Conte may want for Spurs should Harry Kane leave the club in the summer.
Back to Inter… Gazzetta state: ‘The Belgian has sent new signals and is willing to lower his salary.
‘New signs have arrived from Romelu Lukaku: the desire for Inter does not diminish. Indeed, if possible it is strengthened.’
Gazzetta believe three things must happen for the transfer to be possible. Firstly, Abramovich must sell the club and Marina Granovskaia, who it’s thought wouldn’t agree to a low cost deal, must also go.
The second condition is the move has to be a loan.
Lukaku reducing his salary is the third, and it’s repeatedly stated that’s something he’d do.
