Lukaku returns to Inter on loan after disastrous €113m move to Chelsea

After just one season 

This article was initially published on June 21 but has been updated following confirmation of the player’s transfer.

Romelu Lukaku has completed his return to Inter Milan on a loan deal from Chelsea, less than 12 months after the Premier League signed the striker for a club-record €113 million. On Wednesday evening, the Serie A side confirmed the Belgium international’s return to the club in what will reportedly be a 12-month loan deal with no option to make the move permanent. 

Romelu will wear number… pic.twitter.com/QeQ5x6TKbq

— Inter (@Inter_en) June 29, 2022

“What we achieved here a year ago was fantastic,” said Lukaku in an interview with the Inter club website. “That goes for the team, the fans and also me personally. Inter have given me so much and I hope to do even better than last time. It’s now time to work hard as a squad and hopefully do even better than before.” He added: “It’s like coming home. My family and I were so happy here thanks to the people, the fans and my team-mates.From the first day I arrived here, everyone helped me settle in. I’m very happy.”

Lukaku joined Chelsea last summer from Inter Milan for a club-record €113 million. It was the second time the Belgian striker had joined the Premier League club. In 2011, Lukaku arrived from RSC Anderlecht in a deal worth €15 million. The then-teenager then spent time out on loan at West Bromwich and Everton before finally being sold to the Toffees for €35.36 million in 2014. 

The 102-times Belgian national team striker (68 goals) joined Manchester United in 2017 for €84.7 million. But Lukaku struggled at Man United and left the club in a deal worth €74 million for Inter Milan in 2019. Lukaku quickly became a star in Italy and helped Inter Milan win the Serie A in 2021, finally ending nine years of Juve dominance. 

Lukaku from Chelsea to Inter Milan: €333.56m in transfer fees accumulated

With Chelsea losing out on Erling Haaland last summer, the club managed by Thomas Tuchel opted to sign Lukaku instead. But Lukaku struggled in Tuchel’s system—the German manager opted instead of playing Kai Havertz in the number 9 role—scoring just eight goals in 26 Premier League games and openly advocated for a move back to Inter throughout the season.

It now looks like Lukaku will get his wish, the 29-year-old will be loaned for one season—without an option to buy—and according to Romano will make €8 million in Italy. Once completed, Lukaku will have cost €333.56 million in transfer fees, further increasing his lead as the most expensive player in the history of the game (overview). 

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