Romelu Lukaku ‘is NOT planning to return to Chelsea training’ amid Inter Milan interest

Chelsea have reportedly pushed back Romelu Lukaku’s return to training as they look to secure the permanent switch to Inter Milan he is seeking.

The Blues had originally given the Belgian striker July 12 as a return date for him to join up with new boss Mauricio Pochettino.

But the Telegraph report that the Blues have now moved that to July 17 in the hope that a breakthrough can be made by then with Inter.

It was previously reported that Lukaku has no interest in going back to Chelsea and was ready to avoid turning up tomorrow. 

Lukaku posted an Instagram story training alone with the caption ‘last night’ – but it appeared to be nowhere near Chelsea’s Cobham training ground.

The Belgian (left) has been working on his fitness but will reportedly do so away from the main group at Chelsea that is working with new manager Mauricio Pochettino (right)

Pochettino was quizzed on whether Lukaku, who rejoined Chelsea in 2021, ironically from Inter for a then club-record £97.5m, would have a future at the club if he turned up to training. 

He said: ‘I think the personal situations all the parties know what we think. In that case he needs to come back on the 12th or 13th [July] to be part of the squad and start pre-season. 

‘When the player arrives the first thing they are doing is to come to my office to see me and say hello. That is what I expect if he is still a Chelsea player.’

Lukaku has routinely found life tough in west London, most recently falling by the wayside having failed to adapt to the style of former boss Thomas Tuchel.

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He managed just eight Premier League goals as his relationship with fans deteriorated after giving an explosive interview to Sky Italia in which he revealed his desire to go back to Inter. 

Lukaku would eventually wind up back at San Siro, scoring 14 goals in 37 games last season.

Having had one offer rejected this summer, Inter are now ready to make an improved bid of around £30m plus add-ons. 

Chelsea want to recoup as much of the £97.5m they paid for the Belgian in 2021 as possible

Pochettino wants to get stuck into his players as he looks to turn Chelsea’s fortunes around

The Italians had a previous offer of around £23m rejected with Chelsea demanding £40m. Lukaku is eager to rejoin Inter rather than consider joining Juventus or Saudi side Al Hilal.

Inter met with Lukaku’s lawyer at the end of last week and are keen for a return, but Chelsea want to recoup a greater portion of the £97.5m they paid to buy the striker in 2021. 

The Blues have already offloaded a number of key players so far this summer, including Kai Havertz to Arsenal, Ruben Loftus-Cheek to Serie A with AC Milan and N’Golo Kante, Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly to Saudi Arabia.

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