Inter have officially parted ways with Romelu Lukaku after two years, in a high-profile €115m (£98m/$136m) transfer. The Belgian marksman will be the first choice striker for Thomas Tuchel’s Champions League winning Chelsea side. The Nerazzurri were reportedly reluctant to part ways with the striker amid much opposition from fans but finally fell victim to Chelsea’s mouthwatering offer.
His contract with Chelsea lasts until June 2026 – a five-year contract.
Welcome home, @RomeluLukaku9. ?#LukWhosBack pic.twitter.com/P43CAIVqfU
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 12, 2021
Lukaku has returned to the club where he first emerged in the spotlight but never really took off during his initial stay in London – from 2011 to 2014. It was Everton that provided the Belgian with his first great goalscoring spell- scoring 20+ goals in three consecutive seasons from 2014/15 to 2016/17.
He will however be unavailable for Chelsea in their 2021/22 Premier League opener against Crystal Palace and may have to wait until the second matchday to make his first appearance.
Lukaku leaves Inter having appeared 95 times, scoring 64 goals and providing 16 assists in his short tenure – with one prestigious Scudetto title and Serie A’s Most Valuable Player award in 2020/21 to boast about.
He becomes football’s most expensive player in cumulative transfer fees at €340m (£289m/$398m).