Striker Romelu Lukaku is making a big return to Italy just one year after leaving Inter Milan to join Premier League powerhouse Chelsea in a transfer worth €115 million. After a disappointing 2021-22 campaign with the London club, Lukaku now rejoined Inter on a season-long loan.
Inter confirmed the news on Wednesday by sharing a video featuring Lukaku and club’s president Steven Zhang.
Lukaku originally joined inter in a club-record €80 million transfer in 2019. In the next two seasons, Lukaku established himself as one of the best strikers in Seria A, scoring 64 goals and adding 16 assists in all competitions. After he helped the club win its first domestic title in more than a decade in 2020-21, Chelsea came calling and broke their won club transfer record to get him to Stamford Bridge.
However, Lukaku’s spell in London could barely turn out worse. He struggled with form and had a hard time fitting into Thomas Tuchel’s system. The 29-year-old would go on to score just eight goals in Premier League during the 2021-22 season.
After losing the domestic title to crosstown rivals Milan this season, Inter will now hope that they can get the version of Lukaku from two years ago to help them reclaim supremacy in Seria A. On the other hand, Chelsea is moving an unhappy player while gaining some financial relief. Reportedly, Inter agreed to pay a $12 million loan fee and cover Lukaku’s £300,000 weekly wages.
