Newcastle have suffered a major blow after a report claimed that Chelsea want one of their main transfer targets in exchange for Romelu Lukaku.

The Belgian striker spent last season on loan at Inter Milan after initially arriving at Stamford Bridge from the San Siro for £97.5m 12 months earlier.

The Italian club, who lost to Manchester City in last week’s Champions League final, and the 30-year-old now want that switch to be permanent.

Mauricio Pochettino was believed to be willing to give Lukaku a fresh start at Chelsea but it now seems that his exit will be a formality.

Lukaku has also been offered an incredible £21m-a-year to move to Saudi Arabia but Inter is where his heart is.

And now Italian newspaper Il Corriere dello Sport has claimed that Chelsea have asked for Nicolo Barella in exchange for Lukaku.

The Toon had made Barella a top transfer target this summer.