Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku will stay at Stamford Bridge next season due to a lack of genuine alternatives, according to The Daily Star journalist Paul Brown.

What is the latest news involving Romelu Lukaku?

Lukaku's future at Chelsea has been the subject of much speculation for a long time now, and really came to the forefront when he admitted in an interview with the Italian media that he was not happy with his situation under Thomas Tuchel.

Since then, he has been linked with a return to his former club Inter with suggestions that the Serie A side would hold talks with Lukaku's lawyer, but it appears he may not be getting that move anytime soon.

What did Brown have to say about Lukaku's future?

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Brown suggested that the lack of genuine options on the market for Lukaku could see Todd Boehly, the club's new owner, hold on to the striker for the foreseeable future.

Lukaku is WORLD CLASS! It's all Tuchel's fault! Hear why on The Football Terrace...

He said: "The problem Chelsea have got is that there's nobody in the market who will spend the kind of money they spent on Lukaku to bring him in now, and everyone knows it. So they either have to try and make it work, or they take a big hit on it.

"I'm not sure a ruthless American businessman who's just bought the club would be willing to sanction a sale of someone who they would take a big loss on. It seems like a losing situation for them. I think Lukaku will stay, but only because there aren't enough people on the market who will pay the money Chelsea want for him."

Lukaku could surprise everyone at Chelsea next season

A return of 15 goals in 44 games in all competitions last season is certainly nothing overly alarming, but given the kind of high standards expected at Chelsea - a side trying to push for Premier League and Champions League glory - it certainly isn't enough.

However, the £60m-rated star could come into his own next season in the Premier League, with the distraction of a potential Inter return out of the way and being able to fully concentrate on his football.

Indeed, former Italy striker Luca Toni just recently admitted that despite his struggles with the Blues, Lukaku remained a "world-class player" and that he would be welcomed back at Inter.

Chelsea will be hoping however that the Belgian striker can simply kick on and prove the doubters wrong in the Premier League next term.

A full season of working under Tuchel should hopefully see Lukaku more attuned to what the German manager wants from his number nine, and that should only benefit the striker when it comes to some of the demands placed on him.