Transfer Centre

Chelsea's Romelu Lukaku to stay at Inter Milan until 2024?

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 24 July 2022

Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku is reportedly set to stay at Inter Milan on loan for two years and has 'no future' at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku is reportedly set to remain at Inter Milan on loan until the end of the 2023-24 season.

The Belgium international starred in the Nerazzurri's 2020-21 Scudetto-winning squad under Antonio Conte before sealing a £97.5m return to the English capital last summer.

However, Lukaku immediately made a rod for his own back with the Stamford Bridge faithful by admitting that he wanted to return to San Siro only a few months after joining.

Lukaku was unable to replicate his Serie A form in the Premier League, and Thomas Tuchel ultimately sanctioned a loan move back to Inter Milan for the 29-year-old.

The Nerazzurri's long-running financial woes prevented them from striking a permanent deal for Lukaku, although they did cough up €8m (£6.8m) to re-sign him on loan.

Chelsea's Romelu Lukaku celebrates scoring their third goal on January 8, 2022 © Reuters

The deal to bring Lukaku back to Italy appeared to be a straight loan for the 2022-23 season, with Inter not possessing an option or obligation to buy the ex-Manchester United and Everton man.

Now, the Daily Mail reports that Chelsea and Inter have an agreement in place which would see Lukaku remain on loan with the Nerazzurri for two seasons.

The report adds that Blues bosses feel that Lukaku has "no future" at Stamford Bridge just one year after his record-breaking transfer, although his contract does not expire until 2026.

Lukaku is understood to earn over £200,000 a week in wages, which prevented Chelsea from being able to offload the striker permanently after his tumultuous 2021-22 season.

The Belgian did manage 15 goals and two assists from 44 appearances in all competitions for the West London club, including eight strikes in the Premier League.

Romelu Lukaku warms up for Chelsea on February 22, 2022 © Reuters

However, Lukaku was only handed 16 starts in the top flight amid competition from the likes of Kai Havertz, Timo Werner and Christian Pulisic, and he did not start any of Chelsea's four Champions League knockout matches.

Inter - who are believed to have placed Lukaku on a strict diet and fitness regime amid concerns over his weight - witnessed Lukaku amass 64 goals and 16 assists in 95 games for the club during his productive two-year spell.

In the wake of Lukaku's departure, Chelsea secured the signature of Raheem Sterling from Manchester City, but the club are yet to sign an out-and-out centre-forward.

Armando Broja has returned from his loan stint at Southampton, and Tuchel is said to be fighting to keep hold of the Albania international amid interest from West Ham United.

The Chelsea boss admitted that his side were in desperate need of new faces after Saturday's 4-0 pre-season friendly defeat to North London rivals Arsenal in the Florida Cup.