“Hands-on” new Chelsea owners, Todd Boehly’s group, could try to persuade Romelu Lukaku to stay at Stamford Bridge this summer, according to CBS Sports’ Ben Jacobs.
Lukaku has been linked with a return to Inter Milan after an underwhelming season at Chelsea despite his lawyer’s recently labelling these claims as “speculations”.
An earlier report from Goal suggested that Chelsea are not exactly against selling the 29-year-old, but they would want to recoup most of the £97.5million they spent on the player last summer.
Even if Lukaku is to leave on loan, the Blues would reportedly still demand a significant loan fee.
CBS Sports journalist Jacobs claims that Lukaku is closer to leaving than staying at Chelsea, but the change of ownership could influence the outcome of the saga.
“Lukaku probably will leave Chelsea unless the new ownership group could convince him otherwise,” Jacobs told Football Terrace.
“Don’t discount that possibility because Boehly and his team are very hands-on, and they are ultimately about creating compelled footballers on and off the field.
“That people person mentality might change Lukaku’s mind.
“But right now because of his relationship with Chelsea and Tuchel before the ownership group’s time, if he does leave, I think a return to Inter is the most likely scenario.”
Thomas Tuchel’s plans will likely play a big part in any decisions regarding the Belgium international’s future.
If Tuchel does not intend to use Lukaku as a regular starter, it makes very little sense to keep one of the squad’s highest-earning members as a backup player.
Chelsea would face the risk of Lukaku’s likely decreasing market value by sending him out on loan, but the loan fees and the significant drop in wage bills could prove worthwhile.
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