Chelsea are reportedly prepared to discuss sharing Romelu Lukaku's wages ahead of a potential loan transfer to Inter Milan.
Over the past week, speculation has intensified regarding a potential return to San Siro for Lukaku, who only left in August.
However, the complexity of any deal means that a reunion is far from a foregone conclusion, Inter in no position to get anywhere close to paying Chelsea's valuation for a permanent deal.
Instead, the relevant parties have been left to try to negotiate a loan deal, one which benefits all parties rather than just a way of getting the 29-year-old off Chelsea's wage bill.
According to Ben Jacobs of CBS Sports Golazo, the Premier League club are prepared to hold discussions with their counterparts at Inter over the coming weeks.
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Jacobs says that the Blues are prepared to pay a portion of Lukaku's salary during any stint back in Serie A, providing that other terms and conditions are met at the same time.
Chelsea would still demand a significant loan fee, as well as expecting Lukaku to follow through with his alleged desire to take a pay cut in order to get a deal over the line.
Furthermore, it is reiterated that Chelsea will not part ways with their club-record signing for 'sentimental' reasons after committing to paying £97.5m just 10 months ago.
That is despite Thomas Tuchel arguably failing to get a worthwhile return out of the player during 2021-22, just eight of his 15 goals being scored in the top flight.
If Lukaku were to leave Stamford Bridge this summer, however, he would still leave a noticeable void with Kai Havertz and Timo Werner the two remaining frontline options down the centre of the attack.
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Robert Lewandowski acknowledged once again on Monday that he wants to depart Bayern Munich to sign for Barcelona, the two clubs being left to hold talks over the situation.
Tuchel has previously revealed that he plans to assess the development of academy graduate Armando Broja during pre-season before deciding whether to retain the services of the Albania international.
This is a stance which has been reiterated by Jacobs, who suggests that West Ham United and Nottingham Forest are among the clubs who are monitoring the situation.
In his first full season of Premier League football, the 20-year-old contributed six goals from 32 appearances on loan at Southampton.
Darren Plant
