The formula of a loan deal for Romelu Lukaku to leave Chelsea for an Inter Milan return have been revealed by an Italian reporter.
Inter Milan appear to be the main suitors to take Lukaku away from Chelsea this summer, one year after they sold him there. The centre forward was prolific in two seasons in Serie A, but hasn’t justified his near-£100m price tag back in the Premier League.
From his first season back at Chelsea, Lukaku scored 15 goals from 44 games. It was half the tally he managed for Inter the season before, when he helped them win the Scudetto.
Now Todd Boehly has completed his takeover of Chelsea, the club is able to get active in the transfer market again. Within their summer plans could be the replacement of Lukaku with someone more suitable to Thomas Tuchel’s system.
However, Chelsea could struggle to recoup the fee they spent for the 29-year-old. Besides, the only reason Inter sold him in the first place was because of their financial difficulties.
Therefore, they will have to be clever in how they approach a return for Lukaku. Now, some details of the potential terms of the transfer have been outlined.
According to SportItalia journalist, Rudy Galetti, Inter would be taking Lukaku back on loan with an option to buy.
They would pay a fee in the region of €15 million (around £12.8m) for the privilege of the loan deal. Then, the purchase clause would be between €50m and €60m (£42.5m-£51m).
In terms of Lukaku’s salary, he would be offered €7m net per season. At current exchange rates, that equates to around £115,000 per week. It would be a wage-cut of around half for Lukaku.
As also reported elsewhere, Inter would like clarity – one way or the other – by the end of June. Galetti confirms the deal is “still difficult” but both clubs are working on it.
At this stage of his career, Lukaku should be trying to find a place he is happier. He has confessed Tuchel’s tactics are not ideal for his style.
