<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/chelsea/">Chelsea</a> have been one of the surprise packages in the 2024-25 Premier League season, with new coach Enzo Maresca quickly assembling a competitive side in less than six months. As they aim to elevate their squad to the next level, reports suggest that Chelsea are preparing a three-player swap deal, plus cash, to secure Inter Milan’s star forward <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/lautaro/">Lautaro Martinez</a>.



One of Chelsea’s key issues this season has been the lack of a consistent striker to lead the line. La Masia graduate Marc Guiu has struggled to make an impact, while starting No. 9 Nicolas Jackson offers versatility due to his pace but lacks the physical presence and link-up play Maresca demands from his frontman. 



According to Argentine outlet El Grafico, Chelsea are prepared to offer <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/inter-milan/">Inter</a> three players—Carney Chukwuemeka, Benoit Badiashile, and Mykhailo Mudryk—along with a cash sum to tempt the Italian club into parting with their talisman Lautaro Martinez.



The three Chelsea players are in a difficult situation at London. Chukwuemeka is reportedly seeking an exit due to limited playing opportunities, while Badiashile has found himself relegated to a backup role in Maresca’s setup. Mudryk’s inclusion is more complex, as the Ukrainian winger is currently serving a ban after testing positive in a routine drugs test.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20241228_WST_546108_Lautaro-Martinez-Inter-1200x675_669a6f1b.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-546136" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/28153807/Lautaro-Martinez-Inter-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/28153807/Lautaro-Martinez-Inter-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/28153807/Lautaro-Martinez-Inter-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/28153807/Lautaro-Martinez-Inter-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/28153807/Lautaro-Martinez-Inter-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/28153807/Lautaro-Martinez-Inter-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/28153807/Lautaro-Martinez-Inter-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/28153807/Lautaro-Martinez-Inter.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



Team coach <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/enzo-maresca/">Maresca</a> seems to be looking for a striker in the transfer market, to the point that he highly praised Ipswich Town star Liam Delap, who coached at Manchester City. “Working hard off the ball, on the ball he understands the game and he can score goals. Because of his age, I think he can be an important player for England,” said about the striker, hinting at some important features he looks in a striker.


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<h2>Inter’s reluctance to sell Martinez</h2>



Since joining Inter Milan in 2018, Lautaro Martinez has cemented his place as one of the most prolific strikers in world football. His performances last season earned him a seventh-place finish in the Ballon d’Or voting, following a standout 2023-24 campaign where he helped Inter win <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/serie-a/">Serie A</a> and lifted the Copa America with Argentina.



However, the current season has seen a dip in his form. Martinez has managed just one goal in six UEFA Champions League appearances and six goals in 15 Serie A matches—significantly lower than the 24 goals he netted in 33 league games last season, where he was the top goal scorer.



Despite this decline, persuading Inter to sell Martinez will require more than Chelsea’s current offer. The Italian club is reluctant to part ways with their captain, who remains central to their project despite recent financial challenges to sign players. For Martinez himself, he has settled comfortably in Italy, making a move away from his comfort zone less likely.

Three players and cash for Lautaro Martinez: Chelsea reportedly planning big offer for Inter star

Chelsea reportedly planning three-player swap plus cash for Inter star Lautaro Martinez - World Soccer Talk

Chelsea reportedly planning three-player swap plus cash for Inter star Lautaro Martinez

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New negotiations for Romelu Lukaku’s summer <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/juventus-persuade-chelsea-loan-lukaku-option-permanent-deal/blt5cecd4ac64ba9412" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">transfer to Juventus</a> from Chelsea are imminent.



The Old Lady is reportedly still interested in signing Romelu Lukaku. The Serie A powerhouse is stepping up its pursuit of the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/chelsea-tv-schedule/">Chelsea</a> striker during the current transfer window. This summer, the Belgian international is worth $44 million to the Blues.



After spending last year on loan at <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/inter-milan-tv-schedule/">Inter</a>, Lukaku has garnered interest from many Italian teams, including the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza side. However, after learning of the Belgian’s discussions with their arch-rivals, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/juventus-tv-schedule/">Juventus</a>, Inter decided to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/inter-pull-out-of-lukaku-deal-for-bizarre-reason-20230715-WST-443499.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">end their pursuit of the veteran striker</a>.



<h5>Juventus contact angered Nerazzurri&nbsp;</h5>



A single choice, such as contacting Juve, may have far-reaching consequences for Lukaku now. The Chelsea forward failed to improve under Simone Inzaghi’s wing, as he had an injury-plagued season back at Inter on loan from Chelsea.



Nonetheless, he contributed to several key goals in the second part of the 2022/23 campaign. As a result, this summer, he was expected to return there permanently.



Despite Inter’s best efforts, they were unable to bring the ace back on a permanent $44 million transfer. The Belgian player ignored the club’s offer and didn’t return their phone calls. Even his former teammates sought to get in touch with Lukaku, now 30, to find out what was going on.



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<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">🗣️ Lautaro Martinez on Romelu Lukaku&apos;s failed move to Inter: “Lukaku? I was disappointed, it’s the truth. “I also tried to call him in those days of chaos, he never answered me, the same with my other teammates. "After so many years together, after so many things lived… <a href="https://t.co/wzy8OCx3nD">pic.twitter.com/wzy8OCx3nD</a>— SPORTbible (@sportbible) <a href="https://twitter.com/sportbible/status/1684484384231940096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 27, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h2>Lautaro Martinez blasts former Inter teammate Lukaku</h2>



Lautaro Martinez, who has played alongside Lukaku in the striking position for three of the previous four seasons at Inter Milan, says he made an effort to get through to his former teammate. However, none of it helped.



“I was disappointed, it’s the truth. I also tried to call him in those days of chaos, he never answered me. The same he did with my other companions. After so many years together, after so many things lived together, I was disappointed. Thankfully, it’s his choice. I wish him the best”, Martinez made the startling revelation during an explosive interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.



PHOTO: IMAGO / Sports Press Photo

New Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez has lashed out at his ex-teammate, Romelu Lukaku, for considering a move to Juventus.

Lautaro addresses Lukaku Inter snub with sharp comment

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Chelsea reportedly planning three-player swap plus cash for Inter star Lautaro Martinez

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Lautaro addresses Lukaku Inter snub with sharp comment