Inter Milan have reportedly informed Chelsea that they no longer wish to pursue the signing of striker Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian forward arrived back at Chelsea for his second stint for a whopping £97.5 million back in 2021 from Inter. But after just one difficult season back at the Blues he was shipped off back to the Serie A club on loan last season. 
Romelu Lukaku at the 2023 Champions League final for Inter Milan. Source: Getty Lukaku scored 14 goals in 37 appearances during his loan spell with Inter last season and helped them to reach the Champions League final. Inter were desperate to keep the 30-year-old forward but they have so far been refusing to meet Chelsea’s asking price, despite it being vastly reduced from what they paid for him two years ago. They launched a second bid of £27.5m this week with the Blues demanding £34m, but have now allegedly pulled out of a potential deal. It was gathered that Inter Milan is furious after discovering advisers working on behalf of Lukaku had held secret talks with Juventus. While such conversations are legal and standard at this stage of negotiations, Inter have been left disappointed by the situation as they believed Lukaku’s only interest was returning to the Nerazzurri, a message insiders insist came from the player himself.
Romelu Lukaku frustrated after losing a chance to score a goal for Belgium. Source: Getty Juventus are now leading the race for the striker’s signature while Lukaku is desperate to leave Chelsea this summer. Juve however need to sell Dusan Vlahovic to finance a move for Lukaku, meaning the Belgian may now be forced to return for pre-season with Chelsea. Lukaku has already turned down a move to Saudi Arabia and Chelsea gave him an extended summer break to seal a future away from Stamford Bridge.
Declan Rice with the Europa trophy. Source: Getty With two years remaining on his Hammers deal, Rice has made it clear he wants to take his career to the next level. The Gunners made the midfielder their priority summer signing and were facing competition from the German giants, with Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel reportedly speaking to the midfielder in recent weeks. However, Bayern Munich withdrew their interest following a meeting of board members on Tuesday, June 13. 
Declan Rice celebrating with his West Ham teammates. Source: Getty German transfer guru Florian Plettenberg has now disclosed that Bayern has decided against making a firm approach. He tweeted; “News #Rice: NO transfer! Bayern has decided today not to submit an offer after all – confirmed. It was the clear trend for days and as reported on Friday, because Rice became more and more expensive. He’s on verge to join @Arsenal now! First call BILD. @SkySportDE.” News #Rice: NO transfer! Bayern has decided today not to submit an offer after all – confirmed ✅ ➡️ It was the clear trend for days and as reported on Friday, because Rice became more and more expensive. He’s on verge to join @Arsenal now! First call BILD. @SkySportDE 🏴 pic.twitter.com/AXLFKWCnPa — Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) June 13, 2023 With Bayern Munich out of the picture, Arsenal has been handed the opportunity to sign Declan Rice. Manchester United and Chelsea have previously shown an interest but Rice looks set to move to the Emirates Stadium with Arsenal closing in on a deal. West Ham have previously set an asking price of £120m for Rice, though the Gunners are hopeful a deal worth around £100m will be agreed. Any deal will smash Arsenal’s previous club-record outlay of £72million on flop winger Nicolas Pepe. Rice has been expected to leave this summer and last week West Ham chairman David Sullivan confirmed the midfielder was promised a big move. 
