Lukaku tries to force through return to Inter
Striker wants to quit Chelsea after failing to impress Tuchel Season loan with an option to buy is the most likely scenario
Romelu Lukaku is hoping to force through a return to Inter Milan from Chelsea. Sources at both clubs are convinced the striker wants to quit Stamford Bridge after a disappointing season and head back to Italy.
Following the broadcast of an infamous interview with Sky Italia in December, in which Lukaku said he was “not happy” at Chelsea and talked up the prospect of one day returning to Inter, it is understood that he initially resolved to stay to try to make a success of the clubrecord £97.5million move.
However, the 29-year-old, who has struggled to impress head coach Thomas Tuchel, now appears determined to leave. If a deal can be agreed it is likely to be a season-long loan with an option to buy. Lukaku’s lawyer, Sebastien Ledure, is believed to be prepared to lead the negotiations.
Lukaku’s agent is Federico Pastorello, who brokered his move to Inter from Manchester United and then from Inter to Chelsea, but his mandate to represent the Belgian is due to expire. Pastorello also drew a rebuke from Lukaku after giving an interview to the Italian newspaper La Repubblica in which he tried to offer context to the player’s situation at Chelsea, saying talks needed to take place with the new owners and admitting there was a “problem”.
On Instagram, Lukaku replied: “Never ever will I let someone speak for me. I kept my mouth shut and focused on helping the team.”
The chances of Lukaku forcing
through a loan move are slim at present. Chelsea would demand a significant loan fee, close to £20million, with an option to buy that would mean covering the remainder of the fee they paid to sign him.
On top of that, Lukaku earns at least £8.5million a year, although there have been suggestions he is prepared to take a reduction in wages.
Lukaku was meant to be the final piece in the jigsaw for Chelsea; the
prolific striker who would turn them into title challengers. Instead he has become an expensive misfit.
Having returned with a bang at the start of the season Lukaku struggled badly, looking unable to fit into Tuchel’s system. The Belgian then had Covid and later gave the interview to the Italian broadcaster.
It went down badly with Tuchel – who dropped him – the club and, most of all, the fans. It hurt them even more given how much the striker had talked about having unfinished business at Chelsea.
Lukaku finished the season back in the team, but the fans have not forgiven him and neither has he done enough on the pitch to encourage them to forget.