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Lukaku to miss Chelsea pre-season return date to seal Inter Milan transfer

Romelu Lukaku is uninterested in returning to Chelsea and will not report for pre-season training on July 12, according to the Telegraph.

Chelsea have pushed his projected return to training to next Monday as Serie A club Inter Milan attempt to negotiate a deal to re-sign him.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino said he is expecting Lukaku back at Cobham this week, but it seems it will not be the case.

The Argentine was open to giving the striker another chance at the club, but the Belgian international prefers a move to Italy.

However, the Nerazzurri do not have the money to match Chelsea’s demands. The Blues want around £40 million for the attacker they paid £97m to sign just two years ago.

Inter want to offer Chelsea £35m, with much of the deal based on performance-relates bonuses. Chelsea are reportedly not taking Inter’s proposal seriously.

It remains to be seen whether the former Anderlecht centre-forward will return to London next week if the deal does not go through.

Lukaku has interest from the Saudi Pro League but is not considering the move as he wants to remain in Europe with Inter.

Chelsea have sold several stars this summer as they strive to reshape their squad, but still have some wantaway players on their books.

Hakim Ziyech, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Callum Hudson-Odoi are still with the club and are desperate to secure moves elsewhere.

They may have to train away from the main squad while waiting to complete their exits from Stamford Bridge.

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