Inter Milan CEO Giuseppe Marotta has revealed that his club will not be re-signing Romelu Lukaku on a permanent basis this summer, with the striker set to return to Chelsea.
The Belgium international initially represented the Serie A giants between 2019 and 2021, scoring 64 goals during two impressive campaigns, which saw Chelsea re-sign him in a £97.5m deal.
Lukaku only managed 15 goals for the Premier League outfit during the 2021-22 campaign, though, and he was allowed to return to Inter on loan last summer.
The 29-year-old has found it difficult to show his best form for Inter this season, scoring just five times in 18 appearances in all competitions, including only three goals in Serie A.
A recent report claimed that Inter would struggle to re-sign Lukaku on a permanent basis in the upcoming market due to the cost to of the deal.
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Marotta has now confirmed that the Belgian will be returning to Stamford Bridge this summer rather than joining the Black and Blues on a long-term basis.
"The loan was for one season so on June 30 regardless of how well he plays, he'll go back to Chelsea," Marotta told Sky Italia. "This has been an unprecedented season.
"I'm referring of course to the World Cup. The problems we've experienced have been experienced by other clubs too and the players who played at the World Cup.
"Lukaku is a case in point. [Marcelo] Brozovic isn't the Brozovic we know. Lukaku hasn't found the fitness he needs to play his best football. He's still not at his best or the player we got to see in years gone by."
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Inter booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League courtesy of a goalless draw with Porto in the second leg of their last-16 contest on Tuesday night.
Lukaku's goal proved to be the difference between the two teams over the two legs, but he was only a second-half substitute against the Portuguese giants at Estadio do Dragao.
A recent report claimed that Lukaku is not in the plans of Chelsea boss Graham Potter for the 2023-24 campaign, with the Blues looking to bring in another centre-forward.
The Belgian still has more than three years left to run on his contract at Stamford Bridge, though, and it is believed that Real Madrid are showing an interest in his services.
In total, Lukaku has scored 15 goals and registered three assists in 59 outings for Chelsea in all competitions.
Matt Law
