Romelu Lukaku’s failed move to Inter has opened the door to five other potential signings

Inter have reportedly made a shortlist of five alternatives to Belgian forward Romelu Lukaku after deciding to pull out of talks to sign the Chelsea striker.

Inter pull out of Lukaku deal

Lukaku appeared set to sign for Nerazzurri after deciding that he did not want to return to England after spending the 2022/23 season on loan in Italy with the Nerazzurri.

However, while in dialogue with Inter for a permanent deal, the Belgian forward reportedly went cold on the Nerazzurri after rivals Juventus entered a bid for him.

Inter responded to Lukaku’s actions by pulling out of talks to sign the Belgian forward despite having sent two bids to Chelsea before they got frustrated with the process.

Inter shortlist Arsenal forward Balogun, four others

The Nerazzurri have now identified five players as alternatives to Lukaku, hoping to move on from the saga while filling the void at centre-forward.

Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun, who spent the 2022/23 season starring for Reims in Ligue 1 with 21 goals in 37 league games, is reportedly top of Inter’s list thanks to his age profile and potential price believed to be around €40 million, a similar amount that the Nerazzurri were willing to spend on Lukaku.

Inter are also reportedly considering Iranian forward Mehdi Taremi, who could leave Porto this summer, either for Italy or Saudi Arabia.

Finally, they could also make a move for Moroccan World Cup hero Youssef En-Nesyri, whose club Sevilla are strapped for cash and willing to sell anyone on their current squad.

A surprise option for Inter is Spezia‘s M’Bala Nzola who impressed in the 2022/23 Serie A season, while Atletico Madrid forward Alvaro Morata has also been rumoured to be on the Inter shortlist.