Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku reportedly has no intention of returning to Stamford Bridge when his loan deal at Inter Milan ends this season.
The 29-year-old will return to San Siro for the 2022-23 season after a disappointing season with Chelsea following his record £98m move from Inter Milan last year.
Lukaku recorded eight goals in 26 Premier League appearances and 15 goals in 44 appearances in all competitions last season, falling out of Thomas Tuchel’s starting lineup towards the end of the season.
The Belgian international then joined Inter on a one-year loan deal during the summer, and according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, he is happy in Milan and does not want to return to Chelsea.
Lukaku has had an injury-plagued return to the Italian giants, playing only three games and scoring one goal.
Inter Milan’s loan agreement with Lukaku does not include an option to buy, but the report implies that they intend to extend his loan agreement for at least another season .
Chelsea recruited Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Barcelona as a replacement for Lukaku during the summer, but the 33-year-old Gabonese international only signed a two-year contract.
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Lukaku’s contract with Chelsea does not expire until 2026, but the club is still looking for a long-term replacement for the Belgian.
However, new Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is believed to have strong connections to Lukaku’s agents Roc Nation, and the Premier League club have also appointed a new manager since the striker’s departure, with Graham Potter taking over for Tuchel earlier this month.
Lukaku is expected to heal from his muscle injury quickly and may even be available for Saturday’s match against Roma, who are led by his former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.
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