Romelu Lukaku will get his move back to Inter. Inter will pay a loan fee of €10 million plus add ons. Chelsea pushed for a player-swap but Inter refused to include Skriniar, Dumfries or Bastoni. Martinez was never a realistic possibility or open to the move.
Sources from both clubs say things are close to being finalised and it’s a case of “when not if” now.
Also told that Inter believe Skriniar can be sold for more in a straight sale, with PSG and Spurs interested. Inter remain open to a sale. They ideally only want to lose one defender this window, even though their financial situation could still force more outgoings.
Chelsea see value in a loan and Todd Boehly is keen to end Lukaku’s exit saga and ensure it doesn’t drag on through the window. Chelsea will now turn their attentions to Raheem Sterling, although Sterling is yet to decide on his future.
#CFC & #MCFC are also significantly apart on a fee. Man City ideally want close to £60 million. But sources close to the club admit they may settle for a similar fee to Gabriel Jesus. That would put Sterling on the market for around £45 million with add ons on top.
Lots of negotiation to be done, on fee and with Sterling. But there is a willingness on all sides. Sterling hasn’t yet made any final decisions but is thought to be very open to a move to Stamford Bridge if a fee can be agreed.
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Romelu Lukaku will return to Inter on a season-long loan with no obligation or option to buy. Chelsea originally tried for a swap deal. Todd Boehly's relationship with Michael Yormark certainly helped. Yormack has previously called Lukaku "a global icon".
It is true, there was some opposition from Steven Zhang, who Inter sources say felt the initial €5 million offer was more than adequate. Lukaku has agreed to a significant wage cut. Sources tell CBS it's around 25%.
The move allows Chelsea to assess the situation at the end of the season. Lukaku is contracted until 2026. Sources close to Lukaku have always said he has no desire to return to Stamford Bridge, but Boehly has certainly left that option open...
Just to clarify since a fair few have asked: Todd Boehly is not trying to assume control over everything.
Becoming Chelsea chair was a long-standing plan if Buck left. It’s a natural fit. & he’s flanked by Jonathan Goldstein, who has excellent football and business knowledge.
The pair work together extremely well and closely at Cain, where Goldstein is CEO. And Buck remaining on as an advisor further helps the transition. Boehly is likely to be a very open, visible and proactive chair.
And Goldstein has a diverse skillset, and will also lead on the redevelopment plans. Between the two, there will be a daily club presence. So it’s not correct to assume Boehly as chair will have too many other commitments or be distant.
Talks continuing between Chelsea and Inter. A traditional loan is now looking less likely than a swap deal. Both options have been explored. Chelsea want a defender. Skriniar, Bastoni and Dumfries discussed.
Inter sources familiar with the talks say they don't want to lose Bastoni, whose agent has also said he's "definitely staying". No doubt Bastoni is happy at Inter but agent quote should still be taken with a pinch of salt at this stage.
Skriniar is being chased by PSG and Inter are open to letting him go. There is an acceptance they can't get Lukaku without either paying a significantly higher loan fee or trading someone.
French sports minister argues up to 40,000 fans turned up to UCL Final with no ticket or a fake one. Merseyside police (also on the ground in Paris) heavily dispute this. The number quoted is not specific to Liverpool fans, but all supporters. And here's why it's exaggerated...
French police told CBS on Sat around 95,000 fans arrived at the stadium or its vicinity. If 40,000 (going with this logic) didn't have a valid ticket then 55,000 did. Stade de France had a 75,000-capacity for the final. So 20,000 with valid tickets just didn't show?
Countless fans say the first security check scanned tickets to check their validity. If 40,000 had fake ones or no ticket they would have been turned away at this point. That means almost 1 in 2 people being sent back. I was in the crowd for over two hours and only saw a handful.
It was chaotic getting in and out of the Stade de France. Liverpool fans did not arrive ‘late’ and any with fake or no tickets aren’t to blame. The UEFA and French police spin is incorrect. There were train strikes, poorly blocked off roads and eventually heavy-handed policing.
The route from the B train to the stadium was particularly problematic. It had a long walk with lots of blockages. Fans had to wait to go down a tiny set of underpass stairs with people also coming the other way. Then closer to the stadium there was seemingly one security point.
I must say the Liverpool fans I encountered were extremely patient and respectful. I have never seen such intense congestion so early at a major sports event. How can fans be accused of being late more than three hours before kick off? The gridlock started that early.
Chelsea are still fully confident of officially announcing the takeover by the middle of this week and expect UK Gov. approval by end of day tomorrow. Approval by the Portuguese government is NOT considered a significant or time-consuming hurdle, according to Chelsea sources.
The UK Government are now happy with the sale and the handling of the money has very much been carried out on their terms. Nothing needed from Portugal will delay confirmation beyond this week.
Chelsea are also expected to announce further details of the Foundation. One challenge has been getting it ready (in a legal rather than functional/staffed) sense in time.