Finding Romelu Lukaku’s replacement is Chelsea’s priority with owner Todd Boehly to lead their summer overhaul with Richarlison, Robert Lewandowski, Raheem Sterling and two new centre backs on Thomas Tuchel’s wishlist

  • Romelu Lukaku is poised to seal his return to Inter Milan on loan this summer
  • Chelsea will then kick into gear in the transfer market with new players needed
  • New owner Todd Boehly is taking a hands on approach in transfer negotiations
  • The Blues will make finding a replacement for Lukaku up front their first priority
  • Two defenders are also needed after Rudiger and Christensen’s departures
  • Chelsea also want another forward with Raheem Sterling one of their targets 

Chelsea will get to work on overhauling their squad once Romelu Lukaku’s imminent return to Inter Milan on loan has been completed with a striker, two centre backs and another forward on Thomas Tuchel’s wishlist.

Lukaku’s highly-anticipated return to the San Siro has reportedly been sealed after three-hour showdown talks between Inter and Chelsea on Monday. 

According to Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, it took three hours to come to an agreement but Inter owner Steven Zhang has finally agreed to a loan package that is worth a £6m initial fee with an extra £1.7m in potential bonuses.

Chelsea's transfer business is expected to move up a gear when Romelu Lukaku departs

Chelsea’s transfer business is expected to move up a gear when Romelu Lukaku departs

With Marina Granovskaia exiting Chelsea, Todd Boehly is taking a hands-on role in transfers

With Marina Granovskaia exiting Chelsea, Todd Boehly is taking a hands-on role in transfers

Lukaku's highly-anticipated return to the San Siro has reportedly been sealed after three-hour talks between Inter and Chelsea

Lukaku’s highly-anticipated return to the San Siro has reportedly been sealed after three-hour talks between Inter and Chelsea

The departure of the Belgian striker will now prompt Chelsea into making moves of their own in the transfer market with Tuchel keen to add pace in attack and replenish his defence.

Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen both left for Real Madrid and Barcelona, respectively, on free transfers while Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso are also both expected to depart this summer.

Sportsmail understands that – after the news Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia is leaving this week – new owner Todd Boehly is taking a hands-on role in transfer talks.

The American’s priority is to replace Lukaku up front and Everton star Richarlison has emerged as an option. The Brazilian has been a long-term target and Chelsea think he operates well as a central forward.

As Sportsmail reported on Monday, the Toffees – who want in-excess of £50m before even considering letting their key player depart – are ready to listen to offers for the Brazil international. 

Richarlison has emerged as an option up front for Chelsea, but Everton want more than £50m

Richarlison has emerged as an option up front for Chelsea, but Everton want more than £50m

Napoli's Victor Osimhen has also been considered, along with Lille forward Jonathan David

Napoli’s Victor Osimhen has also been considered, along with Lille forward Jonathan David

Tottenham have a concrete interest in Richarlison, too, and were thought to be the most serious about landing the South American. Arsenal have also been credited with an interest. 

Chelsea have also thrown their hat in for Bayern Munich’s wantaway star Robert Lewandowski but the Pole has his eyes firmly fixed on a move to Barcelona this summer.

Other strikers under discussion at Stamford Bridge include Lille’s Jonathan David, Victor Osimhen of Napoli and Sassuolo’s Gianluca Scamacca but Arsenal are also keeping tabs on the trio.

There are also concerns over each player’s valuation and their suitability in Tuchel’s preferred 3-4-3 formation.

Chelsea risk losing out to Barcelona for Sevilla defender Jules Kounde (right) this summer

Chelsea risk losing out to Barcelona for Sevilla defender Jules Kounde (right) this summer

RB Leipzig are battling to retain their highly-rated Croatian centre-back Josko Gvardiol (above)

RB Leipzig are battling to retain their highly-rated Croatian centre-back Josko Gvardiol (above)

Like Lewandowski, Chelsea are also at risk of losing long-term defensive target Jules Kounde to Barcelona. The Frenchman wants to leave Sevilla but reportedly has no desire to leave Spain.

The Blues have also been linked to Inter Milan’s Milan Skriniar, Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt, RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol, Villarreal’s Pau Torres and Leicester’s Wesley Fofana. 

Once a striker and two new defenders are through the door, Chelsea would then like to add another forward to their ranks.

Manchester City and England star Raheem Sterling features prominently on Chelsea’s list of targets for attacking reinforcements this summer.

Manchester City and England star Raheem Sterling features prominently on Chelsea's targets

Manchester City and England star Raheem Sterling features prominently on Chelsea’s targets

It is understood City and Chelsea are yet to have engaged in direct conversations about what would be one of the most eye-catching deals of the summer transfer window – but work towards a potential deal has begun.

Intriguingly a move to Stamford Bridge would interest Sterling given the club’s status as one of the Europe’s biggest clubs and their ambitious plans under Boehly and Clearlake. 

One Chelsea striker who is generating plenty of interest is Armando Broja, with as many as five Premier League clubs interested in signing the Albanian who was on loan at Southampton last season.

West Ham, Everton, Newcastle and the Saints would all be interested in a move for the 20-year-old, who scored six Premier League goals at St Mary’s last season.

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Post source: Daily mail

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