Chelsea news: Inter make Romelu Lukaku decision as £25m Jules Kounde alternative targeted

Here is your Chelsea morning digest on Thursday, June 16.

Chelsea handed Lukaku deadline

Chelsea are set to begin direct talks with Inter regarding the future of Romelu Lukaku this week, with the Italian outfit setting the Blues a transfer deadline to get a deal done. Lukaku returned to Stamford Bridge last summer for a club-record fee of £100million but has failed to replicate the form shown during the Belgian’s time at the San Siro.

The 29-year-old scored 15 goals in 44 appearances in all competitions last season for the Blues and found himself playing second fiddle to Kai Havertz.

Lukaku is reportedly pushing for a return to Inter just 12 months after leaving the Italian side with a loan deal, looking the most likely outcome for both parties. According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Inter are set to begin direct talks with the Blues and hope to strike a deal to bring Lukaku back to the San Siro this summer.

READ MORE: What Jules Kounde has done to ‘anger’ Sevilla amid Chelsea and Barcelona transfer links

A report from Tutto Mercato suggests that Inter have now stepped up their efforts to reach an agreement with Chelsea but need the Blues to change their £15million loan fee demands. Inter are keen to make sure the deal is done before the end of June to take advantage of beneficial Italian tax law.

Kounde alternative identified

Chelsea have reportedly identified an alternative transfer target for the heavily linked Jules Kounde following the news that the 23-year-old has suffered a pelvic injury. Kounde came off in France’s 1-0 defeat to Croatia after 35 minutes after sustaining a pelvic injury in which the Sevilla defender has since had surgery.

The Blues are in need of defensive reinforcements this summer, and according to a report from Italian outlet Calicomercato, there is interest in Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt. Chelsea are reportedly ‘serious’ about making a potential move for the 22-year-old if contract negotiations with Juventus continue to prove difficult.

The Juve defender has been unhappy with the club’s consecutive fourth-place finishes in Serie A and is considering his options this summer. The 22-year-old reportedly wants to guarantee himself an easier way out of Turin by lowering his release clause significantly, but talks are progressing at ‘walking pace’.

Read more here.

Chelsea target Serie A star

According to Calciomercato, Chelsea could make a move for Merih Demiral and use Jorginho as part of a player exchange deal. The Turkish defender was on-loan at Atalanta last season, but the Italian outfit did not exercise their option-to-buy for a fee of £15million.

Juventus would reportedly demand a fee of around £25million for the defender now, with Newcastle interested in Demiral, but the 24-year-old would prefer to move to a club in the Champions League. Italian midfielder Jorginho is rumoured to be interested in a return to Serie A, which the Blues could take advantage of and benefit all parties.

Read more here.