Lukaku makes transfer decision on Chelsea return

Carlo Garganese

• 30 Apr 2023 12:50 BST
• 3 min read

Romelu Lukaku does not want to play at Chelsea next season when his loan spell at Inter is over at the end of this season.

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.

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

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It will then be assessed whether a new deal can be done with Chelsea, most likely another loan, in order to bring Lukaku back in a separate move.

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.

“It is important to note that he is a great professional, he has a great sense of belonging, and these are key elements that go alongside the technical and sporting considerations.”

One thing for Inter to consider is whether they want Lukaku back next season.

The 29-year-old has endured a largely disappointing season for Inter.

He has scored only five goals in Serie A and nine in all competitions.

Lukaku also missed much of the first half of the campaign through injury and his physical decline has been apparent.

He also flopped at the World Cup, missing a host of big chances in the 0-0 draw with Croatia which eliminated Belgium from the group stages. One of these was an open goal miss.

Lukaku is in action on Sunday in the home match with Lazio in Serie A.