CHELSEA have reportedly failed with a record £111million bid to sign Romelu Lukaku with the Belgian snubbing their £165k-a-week deal.
Inter are set to defend their Scudetto title next season but financial difficulties have led to player sales dominating their summer so far.
The 28-year-old, who has scored 64 goals in 95 appearances since his arrival from Manchester United in 2019, has been one of their stars to be linked with an exit.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Chelsea were willing to smash their record transfer outlay to bring the Belgian back to Stamford Bridge.
And they were also willing to bump up his pay packet and give him £165k-a-week.
However, this fresh update states that Lukaku wants to stay at Inter despite the huge salary on offer.
It also adds that he is now refusing to continue negotiations with the Blues.
Lukaku is under contract at the San Siro until 2024 and appears to have no intention of heading back to West London.
He originally played for Chelsea between 2011 and 2014 but only featured ten times in the Premier League for the club.
After a successful stint on loan with West Brom he then headed to Everton before that switch was made permanent in 2014.
After scoring 68 goals for the Toffees he joined United in 2017 but endured mixed fortunes at Old Trafford during his two-year period there before moving to Italy.
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is desperate for a new striker this summer as he looks to mount a title challenge following last season’s Champions League success.
He continues to try and push to secure the services of Borussia Dortmund’s £150m-rated Erling Haaland.
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Discussing a potential move to Chelsea with Sky in Germany, Haaland claimed he had no idea about the reports.
The Norway international said this week: “Before yesterday I haven’t talked to my agent in a month… you’ve to tell me.
“But I hope they are just rumours, as €175million [around £150m] would be a lot of money for one person.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
