Cheslea striker Romelu Lukaku has gotten off to a slow start in his second Premier League coming, failing to replicate the form that prompted Roman Abramovich to shell €115m to lure the Belgian from Giuseppe Meazza. The ex-Nerazzurri forward is also allegedly not on great terms with coach Thomas Tuchel, especially since his earlier comments regarding his love for Inter that infuriated the Chelsea faithful.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports of Lukaku’s intention to head back to Italy, where he spent two glittering seasons, scoring 64 goals in 95 appearances for the Nerazzurri. The former Manchester United striker was key to Antonio Conte’s new-look Inter outfit, helping the club lift its first trophy since the Jose Mourinho era with the Scudetto victory last season.
GdS – Lukaku wants to return to Inter and is willing to take a pay cut. It’s still going to be a costly operation. pic.twitter.com/j1dxmHCoB3
— FedeNerazzurra (@FNerazzurra1908) February 24, 2022
The report arrives after Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Lille in the Champions League Round of 16 first leg clash, where the Belgian was left on the bench for the entirety of 90 minutes by Tuchel.
Messages have been coming from Romelu Lukaku’s camp to Inter Milan that 'essentially put the ball in Inter’s court'. He wants to make the move from #Chelsea but Inter are not in a position to pay him what he currently earns.
[@Gazzetta_it via @SempreIntercom]
— Absolute Chelsea (@AbsoluteChelsea) February 24, 2022
He has been vilified by Inter ultras and the Curva Nord for the manner in which he left the club. Lukaku’s apologies haven’t been taken into consideration and Inter look very unlikely to set sights on him again, given the fact that Edin Dzeko has seamlessly integrated into the side since his move from Roma and youngster Gianluca Scamacca is being touted as the club’s main striker in the future.
Financially-hit Inter are also in no position to pay what he currently earns at the Blues. However, it is also reported that he is willing to take a pay-cut in order to force a move back.