SEDARA OLUWADARA
Chelsea are ready to allow Romelu Lukaku to remain on loan at Inter Milan next season before writing off millions by selling him, according to reports in Italy.
The Belgium striker returned to Stamford Bridge in a Chelsea record deal of £97m in the summer of 2021 in the last big deal of the Roman Abramovich deal.
But Lukaku, now 29, failed to settle back in London and gave an explosive interview last December saying he wanted to return to Italy.
A one-year loan deal was agreed to go back to Inter Milan this season with the Serie A club paying his €12m-a-year wages and a €8m loan fee plus a further potential €3m in bonuses.Now Gazzetta dello Sport said all three sides – Lukaku, Chelsea, and Inter Milan – are prepared to agree a further year’s loan including an agreed transfer fee for the summer of 2024.
It would see Chelsea write-off millions of pounds on the disastrous transfer completed only in the summer of 2021.
The Milan-based sports daily said an official announcement will not come until the New Year. And a strong World Cup for Lukaku, further injury problems or more financial worries at Inter Milan which is effectively up for sale.
The former Manchester United and Chelsea has only played three matches this season – and scored one goal – since suffering a thigh injury in August.
But Lukaku is still a hero at the San Siro after scoring 64 goals in 95 appearances and leading Inter Milan to the Serie A title under Antonio Conte.
