Inter Milan confirms Romelu Lukaku will return to Chelsea at the end of this season

Inter Milan Chief Executive Giuseppe Marotta has confirmed that they won’t be resigning Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea on a permanent deal at the end of the season.

Lukaku was a popular figure with the Italian giants before he was lured back to Stamford Bridge for a second spell in the summer of 2021 in a blockbuster £97.5million move. But after struggling to live up to expectations, the 29-year-old was shipped back out to the Serie A outfit on loan before the start of the 2022/23 campaign.

The Belgian footballer who has scored just five times in 17 appearances for Inter, has also been plagued by injuries this season.

Although The Athletic reported that the Italian titans have not completely closed the door on keeping Lukaku beyond this season, it’s understood that the finances that would be involved in extending the agreement they have with Chelsea would make doing so difficult.

Marotta has now confirmed that Lukaku will return to Chelsea this summer. He said;

“The loan was for one season so on June 30 regardless of how well he plays, he’ll go back to Chelsea. This has been an unprecedented season.

“I’m referring of course to the World Cup. The problems we’ve experienced have been experienced by other clubs too and the players who played at the World Cup. Lukaku is a case in point. [Marcelo] Brozovic isn’t the Brozovic we know. Lukaku hasn’t found the fitness he needs to play his best football. He’s still not at his best or the player we got to see in years gone by.”

At Chelsea, Graham Potter is already dealing with an incredibly bloated squad, which he finally appears to be getting to click, while a summer clear-out is needed in order to recoup funds. Lukaku could well be a part of that.