The 2021/22 season is less than two months away, and naturally Europe’s biggest teams are quite active in the summer transfer market as they all look to upgrade their squads. Chelsea, who won their second Champions League title after beating Manchester City in the 2021 final, have made no secret of their desire to boost the team in all areas of the pitch. One namely is in attack, as big signing Timo Werner has not exactly proven to be the best investment, and numerous players have been linked with a switch to Stamford Bridge before this summer’s transfer market concludes.
Romelu Lukaku, who played for Chelsea from 2011 to 2014 is one such player reportedly on Thomas Tuchel’s short-list. The Belgian international, however, barely got a look-in during his first spell at Stamford Bridge, where he spent two of his three years out on loan to West Brom (2012-2013) and Everton (2013-2014) before departing permanently for the Toffees at the end of the 2013/2014 season.
It was at Goodison Park that he really found his footing, scoring 87 goals in 166 apps across all comps that earned him a big money move to Manchester United. Yet, despite posting some pretty solid stats (42 goals in 96 appearances across all competitions), he clashed with manager Jose Mourinho and ended up moving on to Inter in August 2019 in a deal that cost the Nerazzurri €80 million (a club record).
Forming an excellent relationship with Antonio conte, the big Belgian found his groove again, and it was his partnership with Argentinian international Lautaro Martinez that played a huge role in Inter ending Juventus’s reign as the undisputed champions of Italy last season. The Nerazzurri, who hadn’t won a Scudetto since 2010, will now come into the upcoming campaign as the reigning champs, but are presently facing a slew of financial issues and other troubles. Conte has resigned, with former Lazio boss Simone Inzaghi taking over in his stead, and it’s this uncertainty that Chelsea are apparently hoping to exploit to bring Lukaku back to Inter.
Yet, despite reports noting that the Blues have offered Lukaku personal terms, the Belgian ace is apparently quite keen to stay at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. Time will tell if Chelsea fans will see a return of a former player to Stamford Bridge, or which new faces will be part of the attacking line-up as the Blues look to fight for trophies on multiple fronts.
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