Ian Wright reveals ‘word on the street’ on Lukaku return; tips Chelsea for blockbuster transfer

Will Ford
Chelsea player Romelu Lukaku walks to the bench

Ian Wright has revealed the “word on the street” regarding Romelu Lukaku’s return to Chelsea under Mauricio Pochettino, and tipped the Blues to move for a highly sought after striker.

Lukaku, who joined the Blues for £97.5m from Inter Milan in the summer of 2021, returned to the Nerazzurri this season on loan after a nightmare spell at Stamford Bridge.

A bombshell interview in which Lukaku criticised the management of then boss Thomas Tuchel didn’t help his cause as he spent the majority of the season watching from the sidelines.

His return to inter hasn’t gone to plan either, with the Belgium international scoring just five Serie A goals in an injury-ravaged season, though he has scored two and created three in his last two starts.

Lukaku is thought to be desperate to stay at Inter, or rather not return to Chelsea, but the imminent arrival of Pochettino could be enough to change his mind, and Wright has heard the Argentinian boss wants him at his disposal next season.

Wright said on his Ringer FC Podcast: “The word on the street is that Mauricio Pochettino wants him back.

“He’s got unfinished business here, he’s got massive unfinished business here. If I was him, I would love to know I’m going back there and I can shut a few people up. He’s got to do that. He owes it to himself to try.”

But Chelsea will likely move for another No.9 regardless and Victor Osimhen is reportedly high on their list of targets, despite his £130million price tag.

And Wright reckons the Blues will be going after the Nigeria international in their desperate search for a consistent source of goals.

He added: “I wonder where he’s going to end up? It wouldn’t surprise me if it was Chelsea. They’re going to try and get him I think.”

Osimhen has been linked with a host of top European clubs, but Napoli’s asking price has already put off a number of suitors, including Bayern Munich, who are now looking instead at Randal Kolo Muani.

READ MORE: Chelsea should lean into the Neymar ‘circus’ under Boehly and Pochettino