Juventus are still keen to strike a deal with Chelsea for ex-Inter and Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku, but the player’s current employers are still only considering a permanent sale according to recent reports.
Tuttosport detail in Friday morning’s print edition that Chelsea are still insistent on a fee of around €40m for Lukaku and are unwilling to send him out on another loan deal.
Juventus and specifically director Cristiano Giuntoli are said to be confident that an alternative arrangement could still be reached with Chelsea, including a possible temporary deal with a significant loan fee.
According to multiple reports, Juventus will also need to move on Dusan Vlahovic this summer if they are to bring Lukaku in.
Tuttosport believes that the situation still favours Juve rather than Chelsea, as the West Londoners are desperate to get Lukaku off their books before the transfer window closes at the beginning of September.
The Bianconeri could capitalise on Chelsea’s desperation according to Friday’s report.
Lukaku did have the option to return to Inter on a permanent deal earlier in the transfer window, but relations collapsed after it was made clear that Lukaku had been entertaining offers from other clubs, infuriating the Nerazzurri.
Then, when it came to sealing the deal with Inter, Lukaku and his representative went silent and reportedly refused to answer numerous calls from the club, leading Inter to completely abandon their pursuit of the Belgian.
With Inter out of the picture, Juventus are the frontrunners in Serie A to land Lukaku’s signature, but there is still a fair amount left to negotiate with Chelsea.
The 30-year-old also has interest from Saudi Arabia, namely Al-Hilal, but Lukaku is said to be Allegri’s first choice and staying in Europe would also be preferable to the player himself.
