Inter Milan are preparing an offer worth a total of around £35 million to Chelsea for striker Romelu Lukaku.

This according to the Daily Telegraph, via FCInterNews, who report that this offer will still be below the Blues’ £40 million valuation for the Belgian, but that now the Nerazzurri will be closer than ever to reaching that mark.

Negotiations are finally starting to really heat up between Inter and Chelsea for a transfer of Lukaku.

Around a week ago, the Nerazzurri seemed to decisively change their strategy in going after the 30-year-old. They accepted the Blues’ absolute rejection of any more loan deals.

Now, Inter have been working to convince Chelsea on the basis of a permanent transfer. The Londoners would be open to this possibility, and now it’s all about finding the right fee.

So far, Chelsea have rejected Inter’s initial offer for Lukaku.

The Nerazzurri made an initial bid worth around £25 million to sign the Belgian on a permanent basis. This was still far from the kind of fee Chelsea want to make a deal for Lukaku.

Chelsea want around £40 million for the former Manchester United and Everton striker. This would allow them to avoid a capital loss.

Inter Milan To Return With Bid Worth £35M To Chelsea For Romelu Lukaku

According to the Daily Telegraph, however, Inter are not slowing down in the slightest.

They will return with an improved bid soon.

The Daily Telegraph report that the Nerazzurri’s new offer will be for a fixed amount of around £25 million. In addition to this, the deal would contain significant add-ons, rising to around £35 million.

Even with the add-ons, this would still fall short of Chelsea’s £40 million demands. However, Inter would no longer be too far away.

In the meantime, Chelsea have given Lukaku permission to be absent from the team’s return to preseason training. They understand that the negotiations with Inter mean that there’s a very good chance he won’t be in their plans for next season.

The Daily Telegraph also report that Lukaku would have zero interest in joining Al-Hilal or Juventus despite some rumours.