Romelu Lukaku declares he’s staying at Inter Milan

Of the big-name, big-money centre forward targets linked with Chelsea, Romelu Lukaku appeared the most feasible. It might have cost us upwards of €120m to get a deal done, with Inter adamant that they’d do everything in their power to keep him in the wake of Antonio Conte’s departure, but it looked like we might still have a chance, unlike with Harry Kane or Erling Haaland — the former only joining from Spurs if hell froze over, and the latter no longer making noise about leaving Borussia Dortmund.

Alas, it looks like Lukaku’s set to stay as well, having thrown his full support behind new head coach Simone Inzaghi. Lukaku’s never been one to play media games, so there’s little reason to think he’s just posturing by declaring his intention to stay.

“Yes, I am staying. I’ve already had contact with the man who will become our new manager. Maybe I shouldn’t say that yet.”

“It was a very positive conversation. There’s also the challenge of [winning the league] again. I feel good at Inter.”

-Romelu Lukaku; source: VTM via Goal

Inter probably won’t need to sell Lukaku after the recent cash injection from investors, as well as the expected departure of Achraf Hakimi to PSG in the next couple days.

Where Chelsea go from here is the big question. We have the funds to go after a big signing or two, but we’re being thwarted at every turn at the moment. Could this lead to u-turn regarding Tammy Abraham, or would go after the Morenos, Isaks, Weghorsts, Zapatas, Vlahovics, etc. of the football world (or maybe, one last go at Haaland?)

Meanwhile, soon-to-be free agent, Olivier Giroud is getting closer to a move to AC Milan, as per Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness). West Ham, Valencia and even recent Europa League winners Villarreal have also seemingly expressed their interest, but Giroud is insistent on a move to San Siro. The Frenchman would like to continue earning €4m net for next season and the one after that, as part of his two-year contract.

Sky Sport Italia (via Football Italia) are confident that the deal will be done soon, with French journalist, Saber Desfarges claiming that the Rossoneri want to conclude the transfer before the start of the European Championships.