Inter make Romelu Lukaku request as Chelsea defender nears exit

27 January 2023 , 04:30

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Inter make Romelu Lukaku request as Chelsea defender nears exit

Chelsea have been busier than most Premier League clubs during the January transfer window, but there is still time for the Blues to do further business.

Benoit Badiashile became their first winter arrival, with David Datro Fofana and Andrey Santos soon following. Chelsea also added Joao Felix on loan before bringing in Mykhaylo Mudryk and Noni Madueke to take their mid-season spending north of £150m.

While there could still be more arrivals, some departures are also expected either now or over the summer. Here are the latest transfer lines from west London ahead of a potentially busy end to the month for Graham Potter's side.

Romelu Lukaku's future remains uncertain (Luca Bruno/AP/REX/Shutterstock)

Inter 'to ask for Lukaku discount'

Inter Milan are ready to test Chelsea's resolve by seeing a discount in their pursuit of Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian is on loan at the San Siro, having been allowed to leave Stamford Bridge on a temporary basis just one year after completing a club record move to west London.

According to Tuttosport (via Sport Witness), the Nerazzurri have a gentleman's agreement for a second loan on the same terms as the first. However, after an injury-hit first season, Simone Inzaghi's side are thought to be keen to renegotiate.

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Lukaku, who turns 30 in May, scored on his second Inter debut back in August. However, he has scored just one more since then and has only completed a full 90 minutes once since returning to Serie A.

Humphreys headed to Germany

Chelsea defender Bashir Humphreys is on the verge of a loan move to Paderborn, according to The Athletic. The German side are pushing for promotion from the 2. Bundesliga, having last played top-flight football in the 2019-20 season.

How much more will Chelsea do in January? Have your say in the comments section

Bashir Humphreys made his Chelsea debut in the FA Cup (Getty Images)

Humphreys, an England under-19 international, was reportedly the subject of interest from clubs in the Championship and lower leagues in England. Paderborn already have connections with Chelsea, though, with sporting director Benjamin Weber having previously worked under Thomas Tuchel at Stamford Bridge as a video analyst.

Humphreys has featured regularly in Premier League 2 this season, and made his senior debut against Manchester City in the FA Cup. The 19-year-old defender was also on the bench for each of Chelsea's last two league games, against Crystal Palace and Liverpool.

Lyon insist Gusto is staying put

Chelsea target Malo Gusto will finish the season at Lyon, the French club's president Jean-Michel Aulas has confirmed. France under-21 international Gusto had been among the Blues' right-back targets, and now they need to decide whether to look elsewhere for cover for Reece James.

“I can confirm that Malo [Gusto], a great hope for Lyon, will stay here at least until the end of the season," Aulas told L'Equipe. The 19-year-old is under contract until 2024, and has featured prominently for OL over the last 18 months.

There have been suggestions the president's comments are designed to drive up the price for a player who has also been linked with the likes of Manchester United. Chelsea have seen a £17m bid knocked back, but a bid of £25m or more could yet force Aulas' hand.

Tom Victor