Romelu Lukaku 'set to miss Chelsea's league opener with Crystal Palace'

Romelu Lukaku will reportedly not be available for Chelsea's 2021-22 Premier League opener against Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon.

The Belgium international is currently in London, as he prepares to complete a £97.5m move to Stamford Bridge, with Inter Milan believed to have agreed the fee with Chelsea last weekend.

There had been suggestions that the deal would be completed on Thursday, allowing him to potentially make his second debut for the Blues in Saturday's clash with Palace.

However, according to The Athletic, the former Anderlecht youngster is not expected to be available for selection against Patrick Vieira's side.

The report claims that the transfer is unlikely to be finalised before the fixture with the Eagles, meaning that Lukaku might have to wait until the clash with Arsenal on August 22 to pull on the club's strip once again.

The 28-year-old previously represented the London side between 2011 and 2014 but failed to score in 15 appearances over the course of two seasons.

Lukaku has been in excellent form for Inter since arriving from Manchester United, though, finding the back of the net on 64 occasions in 95 appearances.