Transfer Talk: Blues bid for Lukaku as City fall short of Kane valuation

Chelsea’s pursuit of Romelu Lukaku has taken a knock after their £85million bid was rejected by Inter Milan.

The Blues are desperate to strengthen their attacking options this summer and have pinpointed both Lukaku and Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland.

Norwegian Haaland, 21, looks set to remain at Dortmund for another season, meaning Chelsea have turned their attention to Lukaku.

But Sky Sports report their initial bid of £85m plus Marcos Alonso has been snubbed by the Serie A champions.

Although the Italian giants are in financial difficulties, it would take a much larger offer to tempt them to sell their star striker.

Lukaku, 28, netted 24 league goals under Antonio Conte last term as Inter ended their long title drought and held positive talks with new Inter boss Simone Inzaghi when Chelsea's interest first became apparent in June.

The Blues are hopeful that as the window draws to a close, Inter’s valuation will drop and a deal can be done for the Belgian.

City short of Kane valuation

Manchester City are still £40m short of Tottenham’s asking price for wantaway star Harry Kane.

The England captain failed to turn up to training yesterday as he looks to push through a move.

But the Daily Star report City value the striker at £120m — some way short of the £160m price tag Daniel Levy has slapped on Kane’s head.

While City are far from the only interested party, they are arguably the only club able to afford Kane. 

The Spurs talisman has three years left on the lucrative six-year deal he signed in 2018, meaning there is no pressure on the North London club to sell.

Kane, 28, believed he had a gentleman’s agreement with chairman Levy that he would be able to leave if a suitable offer came in.

But he did not anticipate Spurs’ valuation being so high and City are reluctant to spend that sort of money on a player of his age. 

In other news

According to Goal, Newcastle are interested in signing Aaron Ramsey from Juventus. 

Despite being a relative success in Turin, the 30-year-old Welsh midfielder is seemingly surplus to requirements.

Aston Villa have seen a second bid for Southampton skipper James Ward-Prowse turned down, report The Mail.

Football Insider believe Tottenham are in early talks about bringing Wolves skipper Conor Coady to North London to link up with former boss Nuno Espirito Santo.