‘Over the moon’: Bent says he would take Chelsea player at Arsenal “100%”

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Romelu Lukaku is on the verge of rejoining Inter Milan from Chelsea on loan – but Darren Bent has told TalkSPORT he would be “over the moon” if he moved to Arsenal, and says he would prefer him to Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus.

Lukaku, 29, managed just eight goals in 26 Premier League appearances during 2021-22. It was a season filled with drama for the Belgian, who cost Chelsea £97.5m (Guardian) – most notably his interview in Italian media.

A woeful season for Chelsea’s club-record signing. Now, reports claim he is set to rejoin Inter Milan and personal terms have been agreed. A move could include a future fee, an obligation to buy, and even the chance of a second loan.

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So, Lukaku is set to rejoin a side where he scored 64 goals in 95 games. Asked if he would have had Lukaku at Arsenal, Bent said he would be over the moon to sign him – and would even prefer him to Brazil international Jesus.

“I’d take Lukaku at Arsenal 100%. I’d be over the moon if we got Lukaku. I look at Lukaku and I think he wants to go somewhere where he feels most loved. He scored a lot of goals at Inter [in 20-21] and felt real passion from the fans.

“The fact he is taking a pay cut, it feels like he cannot wait to get out of this country quick enough.” Asked who he would rather – Lukaku or Jesus, Bent said: “I’d rather Lukaku. I’ve seen him score goals. He’s in the 100 club.”

Bent would be ‘over the moon’ if Lukaku moved to Arsenal

The Gunners are being strongly linked with a move for Gabriel Jesus – who is about to enter the final 12 months of his £90,000-a-week deal (Spotrac). Four years younger, Jesus has an incredible strike rate in the Premier League.

His 58 goals in 159 games in the top tier is good, but nothing on Lukaku – who already has 121 in 278 games, as well as laying on 43 assists. Lukaku is obviously a world-class striker that has endured one bad season.

Would he join Arsenal? Surely, he would not do that to a club in Chelsea that reserves a special place in his heart. But players have moved to Arsenal from Chelsea – David Luiz, Willian and more. Inter look set to get him, though.