Milan (AFP) – Romelu Lukaku returned to Inter Milan on Wednesday after finishing a season-long mortgage transfer from Chelsea only a 12 months after his flop switch from Italy to the Premier League membership.
Belgium striker Lukaku might be reunited along with his former followers on the San Siro after Chelsea agreed to a reported deal by which Inter pays an preliminary eight million euros plus a possible three million in bonuses for the mortgage.
The London membership issued an announcement confirming a “season-long mortgage transfer”.
His return was made official in a video posted on Inter’s social media channels with Lukaku saying “we’re again child” whereas speaking to chairman Steven Zhang on the roof of on the membership’s headquarters.
The 29-year-old will once more lead Inter’s assault as they try to regain the Serie A title after taking a reported pay minimize to eight.5 million euros for the approaching marketing campaign.
Italian media report that Inter and Chelsea have a gentleman’s settlement that the mortgage might be prolonged for an additional season ought to the transfer work out, and his lawyer Sebastien Ledure stated on Wednesday that “something can occur” between now and the tip of subsequent season.
Lukaku reporters current for his arrival at Milan’s Linate airport within the early hours of Wednesday that he was “very glad” to be again.
He was greeted by delighted followers on his option to finishing his medical assessments within the afternoon, his automotive blocked by supporters chanting his identify and “win us the Scudetto”.
Lukaku left London after failing to make an impression for a second time at Chelsea, not assembly excessive expectations following a £97.5 million transfer from Inter final summer time.
– Fan favorite –
He made himself a fan favorite over two years at Inter after scoring 64 instances in 95 video games and driving them to their first Serie A title in additional than a decade, the 2021 Scudetto ending each an 11-year drought and Juventus’ grip on Italian soccer.
Nevertheless the monetary issues of Inter’s homeowners the Suning Group, exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic, led to teach Antonio Conte leaving the membership virtually as quickly because the title was gained.
With Conte’s substitute Simone Inzaghi simply weeks into his new job Lukaku adopted Conte out of the door when then-European champions Chelsea supplied an enormous sum which eased a few of Inter’s cash issues, points which imply a mortgage was the one manner he may return.
He failed to breed his Serie A type with the Blues and infuriated Chelsea followers by conducting an interview with Sky Sport Italia in December by which he stated he had Inter in his coronary heart and needed to return.
These feedback additionally led Inter’s hardcore ultras to say they weren’t inquisitive about having him again, contemplating his transfer to Chelsea a betrayal of his declare to like the Milanese membership.
They advised different followers to not welcome Lukaku again as he was now “simply one in every of many”, directions which had been ignored by those that camped exterior within the scorching summer time solar whereas the striker completed his medicals on the Milan places of work of the Italian Olympic Committee.
Inter are nonetheless making an attempt to chop prices, with star defender Milan Skriniar reportedly set to be offered this summer time whereas an overloaded and highly-paid ahead line additionally must be trimmed.
They may profit from laws which presents vital tax cuts for international residents below sure situations, however Lukaku’s arrival has stalled Inter’s bid to herald Argentina ahead and free agent Paulo Dybala.
