Tottenham Hotspur are a more likely destination than Inter Milan for striker Romelu Lukaku as he considers leaving Chelsea.
That’s according to a report from Italian newspaper La Repubblica, who claim that Lukaku returning to Inter is ‘only a suggestion’ right now.
Inter swooped to sign Lukaku from Manchester United in the summer of 2019. The Belgian got his career back on track with 64 goals in 95 games for Inter.
After winning the Serie A title last season, Lukaku headed back to former club Chelsea in what looked like a dream move.
It’s proven to be a nightmare for Lukaku. A strong start has made way for frustration, with Lukaku’s last Premier League goal coming in December.
Lukaku issued a public apology earlier in the season after indicating that he would like to return to Inter, and he now isn’t a key player under Thomas Tuchel.
Not great for a player Chelsea paid £97.5million to sign last summer.
Lukaku may fancy a return to Inter but money is tight at the San Siro and a move back to Milan doesn’t seem likely.
Instead, the Italian press seem to think that Lukaku is more likely to join Tottenham if Harry Kane moves on this summer.
It’s an easy link to make; Lukaku would be a big-nam replacement for Kane and played his best football under Antonio Conte at Inter.
Conte would no doubt love to work with Lukaku again but is this rumour at all realistic?
Firstly, Chelsea’s relations with Tottenham are, to be blunt, pretty dire. Selling their record signing to Spurs sounds like something when you’re years into Football Manager rather than something grounded in reality.
Even if Tottenham did sell Kane, would they really splash a chunk of the money on a striker inching towards his 30’s? They would surely be more likely to go for young, up-and-coming strikers to fill the void left by Kane, not somebody of a similar age profile.
Additionally, The Athletic claim that Lukaku earns up to £450,000-a-week at Tottenham including bonuses.
Tottenham would be in no position to come even close to that amount, even if Kane did go.
Conte may have admitted a ‘great affection’ for Lukaku but a reunion at Tottenham just doesn’t add up – no matter what the rumours say.
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