Chelsea have reportedly told Romelu Lukaku that he can rejoin Inter Milan on loan if the Italian side agree to the Blues’ financial demands.
The Belgian rejoined Chelsea last summer for a fee just under £100 million but has struggled during his first full season with the club, scoring just eight Premier League goals.
He gave an interview towards the end of last year in which he criticised manager Thomas Tuchel and spoke of his desire to return to Inter, and it now appears that he could be close to doing exactly that.
As per The Guardian, Chelsea are willing to let the striker depart on loan this summer, providing that the Serie A side agree to their financial demands.
The report claims that the Premier League side may demand as much as much as £25 million as a loan fee, and will also insist that Inter contribute heavily to the player’s high wages.
Lukaku is unlikely to be playing for Chelsea next season
Receiving a significant loan fee for the player will go someway towards recouping the huge sum Chelsea forked out, before potentially demanding another fee to sell the player in the future.
Lukaku, 29, enjoyed huge success in Italy, scoring 24 goals as Inter stormed to the 2020/21 top flight title.
It is also claimed that he has been in contact with people at the Italian club since Christmas, in the hope of maintaining relations ahead of a proposed return.
The report also claims that Chelsea boss Tuchel has identified Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus as a target for this summer as he looks to rejuvenate his misfiring frontline.
The Brazilian will be allowed to leave The Etihad this summer and Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal are all rumoured to be keen on signing him.