Romelu Lukaku is insistent on joining Inter Milan this summer, and could hold up a proposed deal to send Chelsea players to Saudi Arabia.
This according to UK news outlet The Telegraph, who report that the Blues are ready to attempt an ambitious squad exodus of players to the Saudi Pro League for a massive fee, but that Lukaku is resisting being part of the deal as he wants to stay at Inter next season.
Chelsea are looking to trim down their bloated squad. Moreover, the Londoners are looking for incoming cash from the transfer market to fall within Financial Fair Play regulations.
This is lining up with a summer of big spending from the Saudi Pro League.
Accordingly, the Blues are reportedly working to arrange a deal to send several of their players to Saudi Arabia. In return, The Telegraph report, they could receive a total fee of around £100 million.
The five players in discussion are Kalidou Koulibaly, Hakim Ziyech, Edouard Mendy, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Lukaku.
Romelu Lukaku Only Wants Inter Despite Chelsea Talks With Saudi Arabia
According to The Telegraph, four of the five players involved are keen on making a big money move to the Saudi top flight.
However, one who is not is Lukaku. The 30-year-old Belgian international has made his desire very clear.
Lukaku’s priority is to stay at Inter next season.
To this end, the Belgian is ready to hold personal talks with Chelsea. He wants to put pressure on them to speed up negotiations with Inter towards a new loan move.
As such, The Telegraph reports, there is little chance of Lukaku cooperating to be part of the squad clear-out to Saudi Arabia.
However, the UK outlet reports, Chelsea could still go ahead with the deal. It just wouldn’t include Lukaku, and would instead see the other players in discussion make the move.
