Romelu Lukaku’s second spell at Chelsea started on a bright note as he scored three times in his first three league games.
Since then, the striker has managed only two goals from 19 league matches and failed to find the back of the net in this calendar year. He has also seen his playing time restricted under Thomas Tuchel in recent weeks.
The Belgium international expected to ‘live a season as a king’ at Chelsea, but that has not happened.
That’s according to Calciomercato, who state the ex-Everton star ‘wants to leave Chelsea’ and ‘wants to come back’ to Inter Milan. They state he has ‘not changed his opinion’ on returning to the San Siro in the next window.
Although the 28-year-old is ‘well paid’ at Chelsea, he is still a ‘minor figure’ there, and this is why he ‘wants to go back’ to Italy. The report explains he has sent messages to old teammates and former managers to ‘reiterate’ his desire to return.
It’s claimed Lukaku is ‘serious’ about rejoining the Serie A winners and is willing to sit at the table with Inter chief Giuseppe Marotta to ‘find an agreement’ over his salary.
A deal would only be possible if Chelsea allow Inter to sign the frontman on a loan deal. This is the ‘only way to make the impossible possible’. If there is an agreement with the west London club, then the Nerazzurri can talk about the player’s salary.
He currently earns €13-14m, but his former club cannot offer beyond an annual salary of €6-6.5m. Lukaku will have to make an ‘enormous sacrifice’ of €6-7m net to arrive in Milan again.
As it stands, Calciomercato warn that ‘no option should be excluded’ since Antonio Conte could ‘play a fundamental role’ in Lukaku’s future.
The Italian is at Tottenham Hotspur, but it is ‘not sure’ he will remain at the north London club next season. Paris Saint-Germain are interested in the manager and have ‘already contacted’ Conte’s agent.
Although it is not clear where the Belgian could end up next season, Calciomercato’s report suggests that Lukaku is determined to leave Chelsea in the summer.
