The phone lines between AC Milan and Chelsea seem to ring every transfer window without fail and there is the prospect of further negotiations this summer.

As La Gazzetta dello Sport confirm, in recent days there have been contacts between the Rossoneri and the Blues for Romelu Lukaku, the Belgian centre-forward that the Rossoneri have identified as a genuine option to replace Olivier Giroud amid the difficulties signing Joshua Zirkzee.

However, during the talks two other names came up: midfielders Carney Chukwuemeka and defender Trevoh Chalobah. It was an initial exploratory chat because the Blues have now passed the June 30 deadline by which they had to raise money by selling some players.

Rossoneri on 'Big Rom' Paulo Fonseca would like to have the new striker as soon as possible, but he also knows that in the year of the European Championships negotiations are slow, especially for players that headed out to Germany.

Lukaku is now out of Euro 2024 after Mike Maignan and Theo Hernandez's France beat Belgium 1-0 last night. he still has to go on holiday and think about his future. Yesterday, leaving the stadium, in the mix zone, a journalist asked him if 'Will we see you at Milan?' and the answer was a smile.

Not long ago he had opened up to the prospect of a transfer to Saudi Arabia, but now Milan and Antonio Conte's Napoli are after him. The Neapolitans are blocked by the Victor Osimhen affair but the Rossoneri are not willing to pay the EUR40m asking price.

Instead, Geoffrey Moncada wants to obtain the same conditions that Roma got last August, i.e. a loan worth around EUR6m (to then discuss a permanent deal next summer), or buy the player for a much lower figure than initially requested.

Milan know they can still count on the advantages of the Growth Decree that has been abolished and would be a significant saving for the club given that the former Manchester United man's salary is around EUR7.5m net.

More Stories / Features The other names Chalobah, like Lukaku, is not part of Maresca's plans. Milan knows him well because they followed him several times in the past transfer windows, even last January when he was still injured.

Now the Blues are offering him to various clubs because he is a product of their youth system and the amount received would be entirely eligible for capital gains. He was proposed to Newcastle to try to get Alexander Isak while West Ham have also inquired, but for the moment no one has made a move.

The initial asking price is EUR20m and if Thiaw were to leave (or even if he were to stay), he could be the right man to pair up with Tomori.

As for Chukwuemeka, he is considered a player with great potential. Milan are focused on Youssouf Fofana, but are also monitoring other options because there could be more than one reinforcement in the middle, especially if there are any sales.

Chukwuemeka, a central midfielder who is now 20, has not been 'discarded' by Chelsea who would like to loan him out to allow him to play or let him go only for a significant sum given that in 2022 they paid EUR18m for him.

Milan inquired about the conditions and took note. With Lukaku, Chalobah and Chukwuemeka Fonseca would raise the team's level a lot given that they are three giants who would be useful on set pieces. A factor to keep in mind even if the negotiation with Chelsea is just beginning.