Inter director Beppe Marotta left a big question mark over Romelu Lukaku’s future, confirming the striker ‘wants to stay,’ but they have not yet decided if they want to negotiate a new deal with Chelsea.
Speaking to Sky Sport Italia today, Inter chief Marotta was asked whether Lukaku would remain at Inter in the 2023-24 season.
“Talking about that now is premature. He will return to Chelsea in June and then a new scenario will open up and we’ll see what to do then.
“He wants to stay, we’ll see if we want to negotiate a return to us.”
The Belgium international had pushed for the sale to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2021 for €113m plus bonuses, but quickly realised it had been a mistake.
He returned on loan at a cost of €7.8m plus add-ons and that agreement will expire on June 30, leaving him under contract with Chelsea until 2026.
This season has been dominated by a serious thigh injury and Belgium’s participation in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
So far, Lukaku has contributed just four goals and one assist in 15 competitive performances.
Some pundits in England have been urging Chelsea to bring Lukaku back to London, as they currently are short of centre-forwards and new coach Graham Potter could potentially work better with him than Thomas Tuchel did.