By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

22nd Mar, 2023 | 1:00pm

Sources: Chelsea plan to let Romelu Lukaku go at enormous loss

Chelsea have resigned themselves to taking an enormous loss on striker flop Romelu Lukaku if they are to move him on this summer, sources have told Football Insider.

This site revealed on Monday (20 March) that Inter Milan are unlikely to re-sign the on-loan 29-year-old next season – opening the door to a move to Saudi Arabia.

Lukaku has also been linked with a move to Premier League duo Everton and Aston Villa – but it is believed that such a transfer is not realistic for either side.

Top European sides have been put off signing the hitman after his poor form in front of goal this season.

Sources with knowledge of his situation have revealed that Chelsea are likely to have to take a cut-price fee this summer of less than £30million, just two years after spending a reported £97.5m on bringing him back to the club.

Lukaku has managed just five goals in 19 appearances for Inter this season – a campaign which has been marred by several injury problems.

The former Everton and Man United striker earns a reported £325,000-a-week at Chelsea – and the Londoners are subsidising part of that salary while he is on loan in Serie A.

The Stamford Bridge club need to trim the squad and balance the books after a mammoth transfer spend in the 2022-23 season.

Under the stewardship of new owner Todd Boehly, the Blues have spent almost £540million on players – and have already wrapped up another big-money deal for the 2023-24 campaign.

Christopher Nkunku will arrive at the London giants during the off-season, with Chelsea already agreeing to sign him from RB Leipzig.

In other news, Football Insider updates as second Chelsea big name follows Mason Mount in being put up for sale.