Romelu Lukaku officially came back to Inter on a season-long spell from Chelsea, with no options or obligation to buy. However, his stay is highly likely to extend at least past the 2022/2023 campaign. If not turn into a permanent move altogether.
As per SportMediaset, the striker has been telling his friends and teammates that he is back for the long haul. The Nerazzurri and the Blues will have to eventually re-negotiate the terms of his transfer. Barring surprising turns of events, the parties will manage. They are on the same page on his future.
Lawyer Sebastien Ledure, who orchestrated the Lukaku deal between Inter and Chelsea, was coy on such possibility in his early remarks after the announcement. As per Tuttomercatoweb, it is understood that the two sides have a gentleman’s agreement for another loan spell.
On the other hand, the outfits will eventually need to make the numbers work to engineer the transfer of the Belgian star. The Blues paid €113M to onboard him in 2021 and were content to get €8M, plus €4M add-ons for the upcoming season. His weight on the balance sheets will naturally decrease over time, but the fee was mammoth.
Our Take on Lukaku, Inter and Chelsea
If FIFA had not banned two-year loan spells, the forward would have probably joined with such formula. Where there is a will there is a way, and the three constituents will likely work it out, maybe through a swap in 2024. Unless the Blues sack Thomas Tuchel for some reason, the striker’s time at Stamford Bridge has likely already come to an end.