Romelu Lukaku’s return to Chelsea: The state of play

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 17 May 2023 13:22 BST
• 3 min read

Romelu Lukaku wants to stay at Inter Milan next season but incoming Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino is a big fan of the Belgium striker.

According to Italian transfer journalist Nicolo Schira, Lukaku’s future won’t be decided until the current season is over.

Lukaku returned to Inter last summer on a one-year loan from Chelsea and it is unanimously understood in the Italian media that the Belgian wants to make his stay permanent.

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However, Inter CEO Giuseppe Marotta has publicly confirmed that Lukaku will initially return to Chelsea at the end of the season.

What did Marotta say about Lukaku?

“Lukaku is in love with this club and this city, so these are important elements to consider, but the player does not belong to us,” Marotta said.

“He is on loan, he will return to Chelsea on June 30 and we will all evaluate the situation together.”

Schira reports that it will be assessed in June whether a new deal is done with Chelsea, or if a new loan deal is agreed to bring Lukaku back in a separate move.

Inter cannot afford to pay a transfer fee for Lukaku due to their financial problems.

Until recently, Inter were unwilling to keep Lukaku as he endured a dismal first half to the campaign plagued by injuries and poor performances.

But Lukaku has been reborn since the March international break and has been in fantastic form over the past month or so.

He has scored seven goals and assisted four during that time, helping Inter to the Champions League final.

That has changed Inter’s mind and they are now very tempted about keeping the 30-year-old.

But incoming Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino is also a big fan of Lukaku and, according to Schira, is reflecting on trying to convince the striker to stay at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea need a new number 9 for 2023-24 and Pochettino believes Lukaku could be the man for the job.