Transfer Centre

Inter Milan chief confirms Romelu Lukaku will return to Chelsea in summer

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 27 February 2023

Inter chief confirms Lukaku will return to Chelsea

Inter Milan CEO Giuseppe Marotta suggests that the Italian giants are not guaranteed to re-sign Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea in the summer.

Inter Milan CEO Giuseppe Marotta has hinted that Romelu Lukaku may not return to San Siro for next season.

The Italian giants sold Lukaku to Chelsea for £97.5m in 2021, only for the forward to endure a difficult campaign under Thomas Tuchel.

Although the Belgium international contributed 15 goals from 44 appearances, a summer exit was inevitable and Inter were able to strike a loan agreement for their former player.

At the time, it was alleged that discussions had taken place regarding a second loan or permanent return to Inter, but Lukaku has endured an uninspiring second stint back with the Serie A side.

Lukaku has contributed just four goals from eight starts and nine substitute outings in all competitions, half of those strikes coming earlier this month.

Inter Milan's Romelu Lukaku celebrates scoring their first goal on February 18, 2023 © Reuters

On a positive note, the 29-year-old has proven his fitness of late, featuring on 10 occasions since the turn of the year, although he has not played more than 71 minutes in a single game.

Marotta has spoken to Sky Italia with the subject of Lukaku a necessary topic of debate, and it appears that there are no guarantees that the frontman will remain in Italy.

Marotta said: "Lukaku to stay also next year? It's too early to decide, he will return to Chelsea and we will see what's next.

"Lukaku wants to stay at Inter, for sure — we know Romelu's intention and so we will see if we can negotiate his return here."

Romelu Lukaku celebrates scoring for Chelsea in May 2022 © Reuters

With Tuchel no longer the head coach at Stamford Bridge, it remains plausible that Lukaku could stay at Chelsea if they do not sign a traditional forward.

Under Graham Potter, Chelsea have netted just four times in their last 10 matches, their latest blank coming against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will almost certainly depart the Blues in the summer, while Armando Broja is currently recovering from a serious knee injury.

David Datro Fofana is regarded as one for the coming seasons, and Kai Havertz's future will be discussed if he enters the final two years of his contract.