Internazionale have reached an agreement on principles for Romelu Lukaku of Chelsea to return them on loan. The £ 97.5m striker has been desperate to return to Italy after a turbulent year at Stamford Bridge and the move is about to be completed.
Inter have been in talks with Chelsea over the loan deal since last week. Chelsea had asked for 10 million euros more to be paid as a loan commission, but has accepted an offer of 8 million euros more for complements from their Italian counterparts. The one-year agreement does not include the obligation or the option to make the loan permanent and Lukaku has agreed to a pay cut to make the move possible.
Chelsea have decided to move their record low following their failure to adapt to Thomas Tuchel’s system. Lukaku has maintained an awkward relationship with Tuchel, who wants to rebuild his attack, and since the end of the season has been pushing for him to return to Inter.
Todd Boehly, the new Chelsea co-owner, decided to give the green light to the move after talks with Tuchel and Lukaku. Boehly wants to support Tuchel on football issues and sees no point in keeping a disgruntled player at the club.
The agreement is expected to be finalized today, pending the medical consultation of the Belgian international. Lukaku’s goals helped Inter win the Serie A title in 2021. However, Inter’s financial problems forced them to sell last summer. The 29-year-old, who earns £ 325,000 a week at Chelsea, cannot afford to buy.
Chelsea will step up their transfer plans when Lukaku leaves. They are interested in Raheem Sterling of Manchester City, Ousmane Dembélé of Barcelona and Christopher Nkunku of RB Leipzig, while Richarlison of Everton has become the target. Robert Lewandowski of Bayern Munich wants to join Barça.
This is a summer of changes for Chelsea following the inauguration of Boehly and Clearlake Capital. Bruce Buck has agreed to step down as president and Marina Granovskaya will become the next big exit.
Chelsea are overseeing the evolution of Jonathan Clauss, with Lens defender potentially offering them coverage for Reece James on the right wing. The 29-year-old French international will be out of contract next year and has been linked with Atletico Madrid.