Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku has agreed a return to Inter Milan, it has been revealed.
La Gazzetta dello Sport says the 29-year-old has agreed to rejoin Inter on loan for the 2022-23 campaign, with the move now in the hands of both clubs.
Lukaku re-joined the Blues last summer for a club-record £98m after spearheading Inter’s run to the Serie A title, but has struggled to make an impact at Stamford Bridge, scoring just eight Premier League goals.
He would earn £6.4m-a-year in wages at Inter, lower than the £10.2m plus £2.5m in add-ons he earns with Chelsea – a definite drop of £3.8m.
It goes on to detail that Inter are looking to reach an agreement with Chelsea before the end of June to take advantage of the Growth Decree rule.
The scheme lets teams in Italy buy players from abroad with significant tax breaks, as long as they stay in the country for at least 24 months.
Inter Milan will insist on a straight loan for the striker according to Sky Italia’s transfer expert Gianluca di Marzio:
“Lukaku has never hidden the desire to wear a Nerazzurri shirt again, but regardless of his will, and even with a reduction in his wages, everything will depend only on Chelsea.
Once the new owner has clarified his vision, and understood whether Marina Granovskaia will stay on as director at the club or not, it will be possible to get further along with something that has so far been nothing more than an idea.
So far Inter haven’t probed for any kind of agreement, nor has the player. The finances involved and the formula of a deal must then be clarified,” he continued, “the club paid €113 million for the Belgian, tying him down to a contract until 2026.
The only possible option would be a dry loan, without a purchase clasue, but at the moment, the Nerazzurri will not take any steps, partly out of respect for Chelsea’s investment.
With Lukaku having expressed his wish, it’s up to Chelsea, who will have to convince themselves on letting him go to Inter under the only conditions that would allow for his return, all one year after the big negotiations last summer.“
Gianluca di Marzio
Inter Milan GM Beppe Marotta says any deal for Lukaku must be done to their schedule.
Marotta insists the club must not be ‘hasty’ in their pursuit of re-signing Lukaku this summer.
Amid rumours suggesting he could be in line for an immediate return, Marotta does not want the club to get “anxious” when negotiating these deals.
“We must not get anxious and do things hastily: we did something in advance. I must say that the hard core of the team will remain.”
Marotta said during the Atleticamente Insieme – La Riconquista event.
