Chelsea have reportedly reconsidered their decision to allow Romelu Lukaku to remain at Inter Milan for a second season.
Lukaku scored 15 goals in 44 appearances in all competitions during his first season back at Stamford Bridge in 2021-22.
However, it came as no surprise when the Belgium international returned to Inter after only a year away, as a result of failing to impress under Thomas Tuchel and a contentious interview less than six months after leaving San Siro.
Inter couldn’t afford to buy Lukaku on a long-term contract, so the relevant parties came to terms on a loan deal that would last for the whole season.
Furthermore, it has been expected since the deal was completed that Chelsea would allow the 29-year-old to remain another year with the Italian giants.
However, Calciomercato reports that the West Londoners will no longer allow Lukaku to remain in Serie A.
According to the report, the figures would not suit Chelsea if their club-record signing was free to spend 2023-24 away from the club.
If he is still a Chelsea player at the end of that season, Lukaku will be 31 and still have two years left on his deal.
Although Chelsea spent £97.5m to sign Lukaku last year, the Premier League club are thought to have recouped only £6.7m by allowing Lukaku to go on loan.
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While a similar loan fee is claimed to have been initially agreed and Chelsea saved money by having Lukaku take a pay cut, the Chelsea management is reportedly no longer interested in a second loan move.
Instead, co-owner and chairman Todd Boehly would want to bring the Belgian frontman back to Chelsea and find a bidder for his services.
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