Romelu Lukaku confirms he wants permanent return to Inter Milan

Romelu Lukaku has confirmed that he is determined to secure a permanent return to Inter Milan during this summer's transfer window.

The 29-year-old initially represented Inter between 2019 and 2021, scoring 64 goals in 95 appearances during two successful seasons with the Italian giants.

Lukaku completed a return to Chelsea in the summer of 2021, but he found it difficult to show his best form for the Blues, only managing 15 goals during an underwhelming campaign.

The Belgium international returned to Inter on loan in July, but it has been a frustrating season for the forward due to injury, only managing two goals and one assist in five appearances.

As it stands, Lukaku will be back at Stamford Bridge this summer, but the striker is hopeful that he can secure a permanent move back to San Siro.

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"I spoke to Chelsea about my relationship with the coach and I decided to come back to Inter. Things went very fast and I'm happy. I hope to stay at Inter, Inter for me is everything. But we need to find a way with Chelsea," Lukaku told Sky Sports Italia.

Inter CEO Giuseppe Marotta recently urged Lukaku to "find the right condition" amid a frustrating period for the centre-forward.

"Lukaku loves Inter and we've learned it by spending many days with him," Marotta told Sky Sports Italia.

"We expect something important, he is dealing with a muscle issue, but now he has fully recovered and needs to get back in shape. He must find the right condition."

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Meanwhile, Inter president Steven Zhang added: "It's football and during games, there are ups and downs. We are confident and sure that he is working hard.

"He needs no pressure, we wait and we are sure he will give an amazing performance in the second half of the season."

Lukaku represented Belgium at the 2022 World Cup despite his injury problems, but he only made two group-stage appearances against Morocco and Croatia, missing a host of chances in the goalless draw with the latter at the start of December.

The striker is in line to represent Inter in their next Serie A contest with Napoli on January 4.