Inter Milan Line Up Tigre, Gladbach & Red Bull Salzburg Stars As Possible Replacements If Romelu Lukaku Returns To Chelsea

Inter Milan are looking at Tigre and Italy striker Mateo Retegui, Borussia Monchengladbach’s Marcus Thuram, and Red Bull Salzburg’s Marcus Thuram as possible replacements if Romelu Lukaku returns to Chelsea this summer.

This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, who report that the Nerazzurri have the trio lined up.

Lukaku’s future at Inter is yet to be defined.

However, if the Nerazzurri do not agree another loan deal with Chelsea for the Belgian, they’ll need a new attacking signing.

Inter Keen On Tigre’s Retegui, Gladbach’s Thuram & Salzburg’s Okafor

The first of Inter’s targets to replace Lukaku like-for-like would be Italy breakout star Retegui.

The Nerazzurri have been tracking the 23-year-old for some time, and are in a position to get a deal done.

Retegui would cost the Nerazzurri around €18 million, according to the Gazzetta.

Meanwhile, Gladbach striker Thuram is another big name on Inter’s list.

The Nerazzurri have considered Thuram a top target for some time. Reports suggested that Inter offered the Frenchman a contract during the World Cup.

Moreover, Inter were reportedly close to signing Thuram in the summer of 2021 for around €25 million. However, a knee injury meant that the Nerazzurri signed Joaquin Correa instead.

If Inter were to get a deal done for Thuram this summer, it would be on a free transfer.

Inter had been pessimistic about their chances of signing the 25-year-old for some time. However, considering that he has yet to make a decision about his future, the Nerazzurri still believe in their chances.

Atletico Madrid have offered Thuram a five-year deal, whilst Manchester United are also keen.

Inter’s city rivals AC Milan have also been linked with a move for the World Cup finalist.

Lastly, the most expensive potential signing to replace Lukaku would be Salzburg striker Okafor.

The 23-year-old Swiss international is expected to leave Salzburg this summer. Despite the fact that Okafor’s deal runs out at the end of next June, however, he is expected to fetch a transfer fee of around €30 million.

The Gazzetta report that Inter would face competition from the Rossoneri for Okafor as well, and from clubs in the Premier League.