Chelsea transfer news: Blues 'to reject loan offers' for unwanted striker

Chelsea are reportedly prepared to reject any loan proposals for Romelu Lukaku in an effort to find the striker a new permanent home.

After leaving Stamford Bridge in 2014, Lukaku returned to Chelsea from Inter Milan in a £97.5m move in the summer of 2021.

Lukaku's second spell in West London quickly turned sour after he fell out with then-Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel.

The Belgium international subsequently returned to Inter on loan for the 2022-23 season, before he joined Roma on a temporary deal for the 2023-24 campaign.

Lukaku enjoyed a productive campaign with the Giallorossi, scoring 21 goals and providing four assists in 47 competitive appearances.

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Chelsea set to turn down loan moves for Lukaku

Although he remains a Chelsea player, Lukaku does not have a future at Stamford Bridge and is expected to leave again this summer.

However, according to BBC Sport, the Blues are not willing to entertain another temporary move after sending Lukaku out on loan for the last two seasons.

Chelsea are hoping to find Lukaku a new permanent home as they try to get his £325,000-a-week wages off the books.

Although they are keen to offload the 31-year-old, Chelsea are still looking to receive a sizeable sum, having set Lukaku's asking price in the region of £37m.

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Who could sign Lukaku this summer?

While the Blues have set out their valuation, it remains to be seen whether any of the player's potential suitors are willing to meet those financial demands.

Chelsea's asking price has seemingly put off Roma, while AC Milan and Napoli are also reluctant to pay such a fee and could play a waiting game to see if Chelsea lower their valuation as the summer wears on.

A move to Napoli would enable Lukaku to work with his former manager Antonio Conte after the pair helped Inter win Serie A in 2020-21.

There was a suggestion that Napoli were open to a swap deal for Victor Osimhen, but Chelsea are unwilling to discuss such a proposal.

Newly-appointed Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho has also ruled out the possibility of reuniting with his former Roma striker.

Meanwhile, Lukaku has suggested that he could return to Anderlecht at some point in the future, revealing that the move could happen "sooner" rather than later.