Chelsea have their own Cristiano Ronaldo with no desire to play for Pochettino

For Chelsea, it is an easy decision to part ways with the striker, but negotiations with Inter are from it. They are determined not to cave to Inter’s £30m valuation given the disruption caused by Lukaku.

The fact remains, though, that they cannot be left with an unsold Lukaku beyond the transfer window, and Inter know it. In which case, the only scenario left to explore is a compromise from both sides to get the deal over the line.

As Lukaku edges towards the Chelsea exit for the second time – he first left the club in 2014 for Everton – there will be regrets over his unfulfilled prophecy of brigning success back to the club. Instead, he torched the bridges with the fanbase, just like Ronaldo did at United back in November.

And rather like the Portuguese, he will go down as a high-profile failure after a misguided decision to go back to their old flame.