Romelu Lukaku set to leave Chelsea on loan

Chelsea are set to sanction the loan departure of Romelu Lukaku, reputed journalist Fabrizio Romano claims.

The Belgian joined the Blues in a club-record deal from Inter Milan last summer, but struggled to impress sufficiently.

He netted just 15 goals over the course of the campaign, and is now expected to secure a return to the Nerazurri on loan.

Negotiations were underway between the clubs earlier this week, and it is now reported that a deal is close to being finalised.

The Blues turned down the opening proposal of €5 million, but have now accepted the fresh bid of €10m plus add-ons.

With Lukaku's temporary exit, it is likely that the west London giants are expected to spend on another marksman.

They have been heavily linked with Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski in recent weeks, but a move seems unlikely.

While they are prepared to meet the Pole's wage demands, he is said to prefer a move to Barcelona, who are his dream club.