Chelsea bringing Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku back to the Premier League could deny Arsenal their chance to sign Tammy Abraham, according to Gianluca Di Marzio.
The Stamford Bridge natives are weighing up an improved offer for Lukaku after his Serie A side rejected a €100m (£85m) bid. The offer would have also seen Marcos Alonso return to Italy five years after leaving Fiorentina for £24m.
Inter would accept €120m (£102m) plus any technical counterparts to sell Lukaku to Chelsea. The Nerazzurri would then allow the Belgian to decide if he wishes to return to the Premier League. He left Manchester United two years ago for £74m on a five-year contract.
Inter Milan are assessing potential replacements for Lukaku, should he re-join Chelsea, that could deny Arsenal a deal for Abraham. The Sun report the Blues now want £35m for the 23-year-old after the Gunners, Aston Villa and West Ham stated they will not pay £40m.
Thomas Tuchel’s side may find Atalanta meet their asking price, however. Di Marzio notes La Dea are considering Abraham to replace Duvan Zapata, if Inter target the Colombian to replace Lukaku. The £200,000-per-week Belgian scored 24 goals in the Serie A last season.
Atalanta are likely to only grant Zapata’s exit if they can sign Arsenal target Abraham from Chelsea, should Lukaku move. The three deals are intertwined, although ESPN note Lukaku is not actively seeking a way out of Inter Milan.
Aston Villa could also throw a spanner into Arsenal’s plans to sign Abraham, irrespective of Lukaku leaving Inter for Chelsea. The Telegraph report the Blues expect Dean Smith’s side to target the England international if Jack Grealish joins Manchester City.
Chelsea signing Lukaku from Inter could deny Arsenal chance to sign Abraham
Chelsea agreeing to sign Lukaku from Inter Milan could deny Arsenal their chance to sign Abraham, then, with Atalanta keen. The Nerazzurri are unlikely to sell the Belgian without having a replacement in line, and neither will Atalanta for Zapata.
Add in Aston Villa’s eagerness for Abraham to return to Birmingham this summer and Mikel Arteta faces a big challenge. The six-cap ace, who scored 12 goals and six assists last term, enjoyed a productive spell there while on loan. He netted 26 goals in 40 second-tier games.
Smith also lauded Abraham after replacing Steve Bruce at the Villa Park helm. The Villans boss stated, via the Daily Star in December 2019: “He will get better and better as he goes on.” And his expectations could now come to fruition under his watch next season.
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