Romano drops HUGE update on Lukaku's Chelsea future

Tom Weber

• 29 Jun 2023 17:57 BST
• 3 min read

Romelu Lukaku's future could, at last, be decided next week, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Belgian striker has been the subject of tough negotiations between parent club Chelsea and Inter, where he spent the last season on loan. The latter want to keep the striker around, but they have neither the intention nor the means to match Chelsea's asking price.

Therefore, they have only been proposing loan deals thus far, which the Blues have flat-out rejected. They want him gone for good after he failed to have the desired impact in the wake of an eyebrow-raising €115 million return to Stamford Bridge in 2021.

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Last season in Milan, Lukaku was again subjected to fierce criticism on occasion. There were times when he looked to be back to his brilliant best, yet at other times, like during the Champions League final against Manchester City, he showed why Chelsea want to get rid of him.

Lukaku also has suitors in Saudi Arabia and his future could be decided next week.

Inter's new offer

The 30-year-old has no intention of following many of his Chelsea teammates to Saudi Arabia, according to Fabrizio Romano. The striker wants to continue playing in Europe and he could do just that next season - at Inter.

According to the transfer expert, the Nerazzurri are ready to make another offer for Lukaku. They will meet again with Chelsea to discuss a potential loan, but this offer will be different to the others.

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Romano claims that Inter are prepared to compromise and they will include an obligation to buy in the loan so that they will have to sign Lukaku permanently after its conclusion.

With the Italian giants not being in the healthiest financial position, they will only be able to offer Chelsea payments in instalments rather than as a bulk sum upfront. Whether the Blues will accept this remains to be seen.