Romelu Lukaku Inter agreement creates £60m Chelsea transfer debate after Todd Boehly verdict

Across the multiverse, there is probably some world that saw Chelsea skip a deal in the 2021 summer transfer window in the search for a new centre-forward.

Instead of breaking the club's transfer record for Romelu Lukaku's cinematic return to Stamford Bridge, Thomas Tuchel stuck with Kai Havertz as his main attacker. What plays out? Would it have led to Chelsea being seriously in the race for Erling Haaland? Would Roman Abramovich have been sanctioned by the UK government in this universe?

The general regret over the near-£100million fee for Lukaku sometimes fails to appreciate that Tuchel did push for a new forward and agreed to the Lukaku deal. Although the Belgian is culpable for his infamous and ill-timed interview and performances on the pitch, he was not forced upon Tuchel as some may want to believe.

Chelsea's summer transfer window could be about to kickstart amid Romelu Lukaku admission

One of the lessons of the Lukaku failure might be that sometimes hanging back and waiting can be as shrewd as acting. Of course on social media, this will never be accepted. The demand is for a new transfer yesterday, and failing to do so means that you are not a big club, and don't have the right "mentality" or "standards".

Though this summer offers Todd Boehly's ownership a chance to wait in some areas should the suitable option not be available. Already there is a split of opinion over the reported pursuit of Raheem Sterling from Manchester City.

Potential fees for Sterling wildly vary according to reports. Some as low as £35million, others closer to £60million, which City are looking to gain for the 27-year-old with one year left on his current deal. Sterling has not only divided opinion due to his flaws and fears over