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Inter Milan and Romelu Lukaku are set to part ways this summer as the club prefers that the Belgian returns to Chelsea when his loan is complete
Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku, currently on loan at Inter, is set to return to the club in the summer after the Nerazzurri decided that they would not be exercising their option to make the deal permanent.
Inter send Lukaku back to Chelsea after underwhelming loan spell
Lukaku was expected to make a career comeback with Inter after an underwhelming 2021/22 season with Chelsea but has failed to reignite his career in Milan this season while on loan.
The Belgian forward returned to Inter, where he made fond memories in his first spell with the club between 2019 and 2021 when he scored 64 goals in 95 games, helping the Nerazzurri break Juventus’ dominance in Italy and claim the 2020/21 Serie A title at the start of this season.
He had hopes of rediscovering that form with Inter, but the season has been filled with injury concerns and inconsistent performances.
Lukaku has only played in 24 games in all competitions this season, recording only seven goals in that period as well.
Penny-pinching Inter to part ways with Lukaku
It is being reported that Inter believe that his current performance is not commensurate with his wages and as a result, they will neither seek a permanent transfer nor negotiate a new loan deal for Lukaku as they would prefer a younger striker on lower wages who could then fetch them a transfer fee in the future.
With the financial crunch facing Serie A teams, Inter have had to reconsider their stance on Lukaku despite the striker’s preference to stay in Italy over a return to the Premier League.
Inter have already lined up possible replacements for Lukaku, with French forward Marcus Thuram and Belgian Ligue 1 sensation Lois Openda touted as possible alternatives when the former Everton and Manchester United man returns to England.
Both players fit into the model of a striker that Inter will want, with Thuram available on a free transfer, while Openda is expected to cost a small fee in comparison to Lukaku
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