Inter Milan will formally begin the talks with Chelsea to sign striker Romelu Lukaku today.

This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, who report that today is the day for the Nerazzurri to make their official offer and try to finally wrap up a deal to bring the Belgian back for next season.

So far, Inter have made their interest in bringing Lukaku back perfectly clear in informal contacts with Chelsea.

And, for their part, the Blues have also revealed their own stance to the Nerazzurri. They have flatly rejected the very idea of another loan move.

However, there has not yet been a real official round of negotiations.

So far, the two clubs have only outlined their respective positions and the conditions for negotiations to begin.

Now, however, that’s according to change according to the Gazzetta.

Inter Milan & Chelsea To Start Romelu Lukaku Talks In Earnest

Today there will be a meeting between Chelsea representatives and Sebastien Ledure, the lawyer representing Lukaku.

Ledure will make official Inter’s intention to sign the Belgian on a permanent basis. He will formally register the Nerazzurri’s change in strategy from any kind of loan move to trying to sign Lukaku once and for all, via a transfer fee paid up front.

The Nerazzurri are set to sell Andre Onana to Manchester United for a fee of over €50 million. With this fee, they will have the cash reserves to make a significant offer for Lukaku.

Apart from getting things moving with their offer to Chelsea, Inter also want to flush out what the Blues’ true valuation is on a deal for Lukaku.

Chelsea had hoped to sell Lukaku to Al-Hilal for €50 million, at least initially. Now they’re aware that that ship has sailed, and that they’ll have to negotiate with Inter if they want to offload the 30-year-old striker.

Chelsea will still want to monetize Lukaku’s sale to as great a degree as possible. The Gazzetta report that the Blues are aiming for €45 million.

Meanwhile, Inter hope to iron out a deal at around €35 million.

The Nerazzurri want today’s meeting to clarify what the actual figure is that the Blues will agree a deal on the basis of.