Inter Milan chief Giuseppe Marotta has remained coy over the prospect of signing Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea this summer, and even put the prospect somewhat in Chelsea's court. The Nerazzurri CEO has made it clear that the Blues cannot expect a large fee.

Chelsea prefer to see Lukaku leave in a permanent deal this summer, after he returned to Inter Milan last term after a difficult season with the west London side in 2021/22. The Belgian striker's position became close to untenable following an interview in which he aired his frustrations halfway through the season.

However, having landed the forward for a fee in the region of £97.5million, the club will have to concede making a loss on the 30-year-old. Finding a suitor may also prove difficult.

Marotta reflected on Chelsea's position and hinted that club could have earned a fee around £43million, if Lukaku had been willing to move to the Saudi Pro League.

He said: “Let’s not forget the move [signing of Lukaku] was made by the previous owners of Chelsea. So the new owners have to consider whether Lukaku is part of their project and plans for the future. If he is not, then their strategy will change.

“Obviously, they cannot think of putting him on the market for a big fee. I believe the offer from Saudi Arabia was circa €50million (£43million), which is still a long way off the fee that we got from Chelsea, which was €115million (£99million)."

The Inter chief further noted his own club's position, and seemed to hint that they would not be forced into paying beyond their means for Lukaku. He said: “I don’t want to get into the dynamics. We are working as a team on the objectives we have set. I believe a director ought to be ambitious and not be embarrassed to aim high, but the deals ultimately depend also on the fee and the personal terms.

“Over the next few days, we will evaluate all those things keeping sustainability in mind.”

Chelsea face the difficult task to offload Lukaku and cut their losses without too much damage. In football.london's Big Forum, 71% of supporters wanted to see the club part ways with the former Manchester United forward, with 'no way back' seen for the Belgium international. The remainder of respondents believed that another chance should be provided for Lukaku under the tutelage of Mauricio Pochettino however.

The majority of supporters seem most likely to get their wish following the arrival of Nicolas Jackson from Villarreal on Friday. The Senegal striker has lofty ambitions with the Blues and will join the first team squad along with Armando Broja.

It will be seen as a positive step by supporters, who believed the club's attack required the most investment in this summer. A lofty 70% of people surveyed in our forum, hope believed it was the area that needed most attention at Chelsea while 20 per cent wanted to see funds directed to the club's midfield.

With Moises Caicedo unlikely to come to cheap with a price of £80million already suggested to enhance the Blues' midfield, it remains to be seen whether Jackson will be the last forward signed in the window and whether supporters will be satiated.

[football.london]