According to transfer journalist Nicolo Schira, Romelu Lukaku wants to stay at Inter Milan next season, but incoming Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly a big fan of the Belgian striker.
Lukaku returned to Inter last summer on a one-year loan from Chelsea, and it is widely understood in the Italian media that he wants to make his stay permanent. However, Inter CEO Giuseppe Marotta has confirmed publicly that Lukaku will initially return to Chelsea at the end of the season. It remains to be seen whether Lukaku’s future will be decided before the end of the current season.
What did Marotta say about Lukaku?
Inter CEO Giuseppe Marotta confirmed that Romelu Lukaku will return to Chelsea on June 30 as he is currently on loan at Inter. It is understood that Lukaku wants to stay at Inter, but the club cannot afford to pay a transfer fee for him due to their financial problems.
It will be assessed in June whether a new deal with Chelsea is done or a new loan deal is agreed to bring Lukaku back in a separate move. Until recently, Inter was unwilling to keep Lukaku, but his fantastic form over the past month, during which he scored seven goals and assisted four, has changed the club’s mind. However, incoming Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino is also reportedly a big fan of Lukaku and is considering trying to convince the striker to stay at Stamford Bridge, as Chelsea needs a new number 9 for the 2023-24 season.