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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Jonathan Gorrie

Chelsea transfer news and rumours: Lukaku talks opened, Barcelona fight and Kounde latest

Chelsea’s busy summer is yet to kick-off, although the end of the international break could speed things up on that front.

After a miserable season, Romelu Lukau’s potential return to Inter Milan looks like one option being explored, while there remains an interest in Jules Kounde.

Ousmane Dembele remains a key target with Thomas Tuchel having worked with him before but the changes may not stop there.

Indeed, club captain Cesar Azpilicueta is believed to have the offer of a two-year deal from Barcelona on the table, as he waits to see Tuchel’s decision on his future.

Here’s the latest Chelsea news and rumours...

Romelu Lukaku

Romelu Lukaku could leave for as little as £10m (PA)

Inter Milan and Chelsea are in talks over a potential loan deal for Romelu Lukaku.

The Belgian’s struggles since moving back to Stamford Bridge have been well-documented and the 29-year-old has made no secret of his love for the Italian giants.

With Chelsea chasing a potential move for Ousmane Dembele, they could do with getting at least some of his huge wages off of the payroll.

Standard Sport understands Chelsea are likely to demand a loan fee of around £10m for the man they brought back for £97.5m.

Jules Kounde

Chelsea remain confident of signing Jules Kounde (AFP via Getty Images)

Widely tipped to become the first signing of the Todd Boehly era, the Jules Kounde to Chelsea saga is becoming a protracted one.

Still, while interest from Barcelona threatened to scupper a potential deal, Standard Sport understands the Premier League giants remain in control of the race to sign him.

Likely to cost £50m, the groundwork has already been laid and Barca’s interest may not stop Chelsea finally landing the Frenchman.

Cesar Azpilicueta

Barcelona are hoping to lure Cesar Azpilicueta back to Spain (REUTERS)

With Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger having already left Chelsea, Tuchel could certainly do with keeping the rest of his defence in tact.

Still, Fabrizio Romano claims Barca are prepared to make it a battle to keep club captain Cesar Azpilicueta at Stamford Bridge and are prepared to offer the veteran a two-year-deal in order to tempt him back to Spain.

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