Romelu Lukaku is coming back to Inter on loan from Chelsea, but Sky Sport Italia claim the striker had wanted to push through a return in January, barely six months after his departure.
Multiple sources this evening including Sportitalia, The Athletic and news agency ANSA all maintain a deal has been struck between clubs to bring Lukaku to San Siro on a one-season loan without option to buy.
The cost of the operation is €8m plus performance-related bonuses of up to €4m if Inter win the Scudetto or other silverware.
Lukaku has accepted a massive pay cut, 35 per cent, to force through the transfer, while he will also benefit from tax benefits as long as he makes the move before June 30.
He will pocket €8m for the year rather than the €12m net he would receive at Stamford Bridge.
According to Sky Sport Italia Inter correspondent Matteo Barzaghi, Lukaku had wanted to make the return to Inter as early as January.
It was evident that there were issues in late December when Lukaku gave an interview with Sky Sport Italia, in which he apologised to Inter supporters for the way he left, assuring he wanted to return to San Siro soon.
“I want to apologise to Inter fans, because I think the way I left should’ve been done differently. I should’ve spoken to you first, because the things you did for me, for my family, my mother, my son, those will stay with me for the rest of my life.
“I really, genuinely from the bottom of my heart hope to come back to Inter, not at the end of my career, but while I am still at the level to win more trophies.”
Sky – Inter, quanto guadagnerà Lukaku. Lui voleva tornare già a gennaio: il retroscenahttps://t.co/sGBlOqt6uB
— Fcinter1908 (@fcin1908it) June 21, 2022
Players have too much influence nowadays on what they do…
incredible deal by Don Marotta
I will never forgive Lukaku for eating pizza with pineapple.
Joke is on chelsea, they had to cut their losses because 12m net wage is a huge burden…. crappy business decision typical from Premier League teams
Marotta is the king