Lukaku Ignores Pochettino

Inter Milan transfer target Romelu Lukaku is reportedly set to defy Mauricio Pochettino and refuse to return to Chelsea for pre-season training.

According to reports, Lukaku will not return to West London on Wednesday as planned, as he waits to find out if Inter will be able to sign him having played for the Nerazurris on loan for the 2022/23 season.

Pochettino, the Blues’ new boss, had said previously that he expected the Belgium striker to travel back so the pair could speak about his future.

Pochettino said in his first Chelsea press conference: “I think the personal situations, all the parties know what we think. In that case he needs to come back on the 12th or 13th [July] to be part of the squad and start pre-season.

When the player arrives the first thing they are doing is to come to my office to see me and say hello. That is what I expect if he is still a Chelsea player.”

Lukaku has been the subject of a variety of offers including one from Saudi Arabia, but he appears to be holding out for a permanent move to Inter.

The Serie A club are expected to bid around £35m ($45m) for the 30-year-old striker but Chelsea values him at £40m ($52m).