Chelsea willing to offer 2 players who cost £130 million as they look to sign Andre Onana - Reports
Chelsea are reportedly willing to offer Romelu Lukaku and Kalidou Koulibaly, who cost a combined £130 million, to Inter Milan in exchange for their goalkeeper Andre Onana.
As per The Sun (via Football365), the Blues are intent on signing Onana this summer. One of Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy is expected to leave, so the club are looking for a replacement.
Inter Milan, though, rejected an initial offer worth £34 million for the Cameroon international. The west London side are now looking to offer two players in exchange for Onana - Romelu Lukaku and Kalidou Koulibaly - to sweeten the deal.
Chelsea signed Lukaku for £97 million from Inter Milan in the summer of 2021. However, after an underwhelming return of just 15 goals in 44 games, he was sent on a season-long loan back to the Italian side. Plagued with injuries, Lukaku scored 14 goals in 37 games for Inter this season.
Koulibaly, meanwhile, joined the Blues from Napoli last summer for £33 million. He had a disappointing season, though, keeping 11 clean sheets in 32 games across competitions.
As per The Sun, Chelsea are willing to let go of both players to sign Onana. While Inter aren't keen on making Lukaku's move permanent, they could be tempted by Koulibaly. The Senegalese defender could be a good replacement for the departing Milan Skriniar, who's set to join Paris Saint-Germain.
Onana, meanwhile, had an excellent campaign with Inter, keeping 19 clean sheets in 41 games across competitions. His reflexes and ball-playing ability have earned him praise.
Inter Milan president coy about Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku's future
Romelu Lukaku scored three goals and provided one assist for Inter Milan in eight UEFA Champions League games n the 2022-23 season. However, he had a poor outing in the final against Manchester City on June 10.
The Belgian striker replaced Edin Dzeko in the 57th minute. He won just two of his five duels, completed just three passes and missed a huge chance as Inter lost 1-0.
Club president Steven Zhang provided an update on Lukaku's future (via GOAL) at the San Siro:
"Romelu loves Inter; that’s very clear. He’s a great guy, but he’s under contract at Chelsea. We have to wait and speak to Chelsea to make Lukaku’s future clear."
While it has been a disappointing two seasons for Lukaku, he did help Inter Milan win the 2020-21 Serie A title, bagging 24 goals and ten assists in 36 games.