Real Madrid have reportedly been provided with the chance to sign Chelsea forward Romelu Lukaku.
In the two months since Inter Milan lost the Champions League final to Manchester City, Lukaku has been heavily linked with a number of different clubs.
Most notably, the runners-up of the European showpiece - his former permanent and loan employers - pulled out of the race after it emerged that the Belgium international was interested in signing for rivals Juventus.
However, their fellow Serie A outfit have failed to get a deal over the line, Chelsea not having sufficient interest in a part-exchange proposal involving Dusan Vlahovic.
With interest from the Saudi Pro League not being followed up, the Premier League club are running out of options when it comes to finding a destination for the 30-year-old.
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The longer that it takes to offload a player known to be unrequired at Stamford Bridge, the position of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital at the negotiating table will become weaker.
According to El Debate, the agent of Lukaku has attempted to accelerate the process by offering him to Real Madrid.
Los Blancos may still be in the market for a new frontman this summer despite bringing in Espanyol's Joselu on a season-long loan deal to bolster their options.
Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior got the nod as a front two at Athletic Bilbao last weekend, yet Carlo Ancelotti would prefer to use the pair on the flanks.
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Karim Benzema's exit to Al-Ittihad has left the Italian head coach short of alternatives down the middle, with Joselu having not been signed to regularly start top flight and Champions League fixtures.
Despite the criticism of Lukaku over the past 12 months, he contributed 14 goals and seven assists for Inter in all competitions during 2022-23.
If Real choose to take an opportunity to sign Lukaku, it would likely be on a season-long loan which involved a fee and paying a considerable portion of the player's wages.
The La Liga giants have just successfully negotiated such terms with Chelsea over the signing of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Darren Plant
