Chelsea are reportedly willing to sell Romelu Lukaku when the transfer window opens at the end of the season.
According to a report from Calciomercato, Romelu Lukaku will return to Chelsea upon the expiry of his loan deal at Inter Milan. And the Blues are prepared to sell the Belgian striker permanently at the end of the season.
The club record signing of the Belgian international striker has not worked out for Chelsea, and he was loaned out to Inter Milan at the start of the season. However, things have not gone according to plan for him this season, and his return to the Italian club has been marred by persistent injury problems.
Lukaku has not been able to recapture his peak form and is expected to miss the first two group games for Belgium in the World Cup as well. A return to Chelsea is unlikely to benefit the striker next season, and it will be interesting to see if the Blues can find a permanent solution to his problems.
The report from Calciomercato claims that Chelsea had discussed a potential renewal of Lukaku’s loan deal at Inter Milan for the next season as well and there would be an obligatory buy clause in 2024. It remains to be seen if the Blues are ready to proceed with that agreement once the player’s current loan deal expires.
The report presents an alternative situation as well. Apparently, Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is looking to bring the player back to Stamford Bridge and sell him permanently at the end of the season.
Inter will not be able to afford the permanent signing of Lukaku at the end of the season, and his return to the Italian club can be ruled out if the Blues are not prepared to extend his loan deal for another year. The 29-year-old was a key player for Inter Milan, and he helped them win the Scudetto before completing a club-record move to Chelsea.
He struggled under former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel at Stamford Bridge, and it will be interesting to see whether the current Chelsea boss Graham Potter is willing to take a chance and help him rediscover his peak form next year. Chelsea are in desperate need of attacking reinforcements, and they could certainly use a proven goalscorer like Lukaku.
