Romelu Lukaku talks between Chelsea and Inter Milan are developing
Romelu Lukaku talks between Chelsea and Inter Milan are developing with the two clubs set for face-to-face discussions over a loan deal… as the Belgian striker nears a return to Italy following a disappointing season at Stamford Bridge
- Romelu Lukaku wants to rejoin Inter Milan in the summer transfer window
- The Belgian moved from Inter to Chelsea for £97.5million last August
- Lukaku endured a frustrating campaign last season and fell out with Thomas Tuchel
- Inter can only afford a loan and may pay as much as £17million to secure a deal
Talks between Chelsea and Inter Milan over a loan deal for Romelu Lukaku are developing as the out-of-favour Belgian striker nears a return to Italy.
Lukaku wants to rejoin Inter after a disappointing season at Stamford Bridge following his £97.5million move to the Serie ‘A’ giants last summer.
The 29-year-old failed to hit the lofty heights expected of him, scoring just eight times in the league in a campaign where he fell out with boss Thomas Tuchel.
Romelu Lukaku is nearing a return to Inter Milan after struggling at Chelsea last season
Lukaku gave a bombshell interview in December where he stated his unhappiness at Stamford Bridge and was dropped from the German’s team.
He improved towards the end of the campaign but has been regularly tipped to make a swift exit from Stamford Bridge in one of the summer’s early transfer sagas.
Chelsea are open to sending Lukaku back to Inter on loan but are likely to demand a fee of at least £17million, a significant amount for a temporary transfer.
Reports in Italy claim the Premier League club could lower that price if an Inter player is included in the deal.
The 29-year-old Belgian enjoyed a superb stint in Italy with Inter, who want to take him on loan
Lukaku fell out of favour under Thomas Tuchel last season after a controversial interview
Inter and Chelsea directors are set for direct talks on the financial elements of the deal, which has to be finalised before June 30 for the club to use the growth decree and get a 50% discount on the player’s gross salary.
Lukaku, who has four years left on his contract at Stamford Bridge and is keen to end his time with the club, cited a desire to return to the San Siro in his explosive interview in December but the Serie ‘A’ side can only afford a loan.
The Italian giants are short of cash, walking the tightrope of Financial Fair Play and under pressure to make a significant profit in the transfer window and trim the wage bill.
Lukaku is reportedly willing to take a 50 per cent pay cut to facilitate a switch back to Italy.
Inter believe he would accept a salary similar to the one he earned before leaving Milan for London – roughly £6.4m net a year and around half of what he is currently paid at Chelsea.
Chelsea are able to negotiate contracts and signings after a series of sanctions imposed due to Roman Abramovich’s ownership were lifted when the Russian oligarch’s sale of the club to a consortium led by Todd Boehly was completed last month.
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