Chelsea boss Graham Potter has revealed a decision will be made on the future of Romelu Lukaku at the end of the season.
He has also stressed the importance of their midfield star Mateo Kovacic, whose contract at the Blues expires next summer.
Lukaku is currently on loan at Inter Milan, just a season after he signed for Chelsea in what was then a club record fee of £97.5million.
The Belgian enjoyed an impressive start in his second stint at Stamford Bridge, but performances dipped and he returned to his former club.
He left before Potter’s arrival, but the Blues boss would be interested in working with the 29-year-old next season.
Potter said: “At the moment he is on loan at another club and it is important he finishes that off, finishes the season well and then we will have a decision to make in the summer.
“He is someone I admire a lot and like a lot. But again it is something we have to talk about in the summer.”
In order to comply with Financial Fair Play rules, Chelsea could be set for a ‘fire sale’ of stars in the summer after announcing losses of £121million for last season.
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Mason Mount and Christian Pulisic are two players who could depart as their contracts expire next summer, alongside Kovacic.
The Croatian midfielder has been a reliable asset since his arrival in 2018, and Potter is keen for him to extend his stay in west London.
He said: “The club has conversations [about contracts] with players all the time. It doesn’t mean it’s public. These things happen behind the scenes, and when we’ve got something to report we can report it.
“He [Kovacic] is someone I have huge respect for as a person. He’s been great with us, very supportive. He’s played a role in the team and has been captain the last few games. From my perspective he’s important. But it’s between Mateo and the club to talk.
“He had a tough pre-World Cup. He had an ongoing knee issue that he’s been nursing and getting through pretty much all season. It’s been a challenge for him. But the way he’s handled himself has been absolutely fantastic.
“He’s done the work behind the scenes to be available all the time. He played the World Cup, it was a great experience for him and a break from everything. He’s come back in a really good way.
“The last couple of weeks, he’s really stepping up and stepping up. He’s shown his quality, shown his leadership.”
Chelsea return from the international break with a home clash against Aston Villa, with Kovacic scoring in the same fixture last season.
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