CHELSEA owner Roman Abramovich is reportedly intent on bringing Romelu Lukaku back to Stamford Bridge this summer.
The Belgian, 28, played only a handful of games during his first stint with the club and was linked with a return in 2017.
Since moving to Inter Milan, he has gone from strength to strength and fired 24 Serie A goals en route to the Nerazzurri’s Scudetto glory.
But there are fears in Italy that the squad will be broken up amid the club’s financial woe.
Achraf Hakimi is already tipped to leave with Paris Saint-Germain nearing a £60million deal, with Chelsea also rumoured to be tracking the wing-back.
La Gazzetta dello Sport state that around £85m must be brought in to balance the books, putting prospective bidders on high alert.
That includes Chelsea and Manchester City, who according to Eurosport are battling over Lukaku.
Blues owner Abramovich, 54, is said to be personally pushing his team’s bid for the striker amid links with Erling Haaland and Harry Kane.
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Thomas Tuchel is set to be given a hefty transfer fund to build on his Champions League triumph and formulate a Premier League title push.
Yet beaten finalists City are reportedly offering Lukaku a higher wage with both teams in contact with his camp.
Either side will have to push the boat out to land the ex-Manchester United star with Inter demanding £105m for his services.
Antonio Conte left the Giuseppe Meazza dugout despite the title win because of the club’s plan to cash in on certain talents.
Lukaku is nonetheless still considered almost indispensable along with the likes of Lautaro Martinez and Nico Barella.
Instead, Inter hope to bring in funds via a bidding war for Achraf plus potential deals for Marcelo Brozovic, Christian Eriksen and Matias Vecino.
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