MY ACCOUNT
Regardless of whether he wants to be there or not, Romelu Lukaku could soon find himself back at Chelsea.
The striker returned to Inter on loan last summer but the Italian club are reported to have no plans to make the deal permanent.
With his parent club struggling to score goals and unlikely to qualify for Europe, it is plausible that the Belgian will find himself back in London sooner rather than later.
Ahead of the second leg of Inter’s Champions League quarter-final with Benfica, we examine the possible permutations involving Lukaku’s future.
Rover returns
Lukaku’s first spell at Inter saw him score a staggering 64 goals 95 games between 2019 and 2021.
That prolific form saw Chelsea fork out £97.5million for the forward, awarding him a £325,000-a-week, five-year contract — all after the club had sold the player to Everton for just £28million back in 2014.
Despite a lively start, Lukaku’s return to London was not a success. After 15 goals in 44 appearances and a controversial TV interview in which he stated that he wanted to rejoin Inter, he soon got his wish.
Just 321 days after his big-money transfer, the 29-year-old was back in Italy. Once again, it would not prove to be a glorious return.
To date, Lukaku has only scored seven times in 24 games, with a hamstring injury having sidelined the player for much of this season.
Crucial goals
Lukaku has not yet rediscovered his best form but he is at least starting regularly again — and has scored some important cup goals from the bench in recent weeks.
After being introduced as a late substitute in the away leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final against Juventus, he scored Inter’s equaliser from the penalty spot.
A week later, he converted another crucial spot kick to give his team a 2-0 lead in the first leg of their Champions League tie with Benfica.
With Inter fighting for a top four position in Serie A, a Coppa Italia final on the horizon and a possible European semi against their bitter rivals AC Milan, there is still much to play for.
Should Lukaku make a significant contribution in the next few weeks, there is perhaps still the opportunity for him to salvage some kind of future at the club — if they can afford him, that is.
Chelsea drought
Though the potential is there for Lukaku to remain with the Italian giants, they are reported to be unwilling to finance another loan deal, let alone a transfer.
If there was the desire for Inter to keep him, Chelsea could allow another temporary move on reduced terms but they may be tempted to give him a fresh chance themselves.
The Blues have only scored one goal in their last six games and despite spending over £500million on new recruits this season, are somehow still without a natural striker in their squad.
Adding to their options for this position surely has to be the priority this summer. And if Lukaku can prove his form and fitness before the end of the season, bringing him back looks a no-brainer.
Much will depend on who Chelsea choose to be their new manager, though it is hard to imagine too many coaches turning their nose up at the challenge of working with such a talent.
At his best, Lukaku is one of the top strikers around. One way or the other, he could have the platform of one of the world’s biggest clubs to try and live up to that billing once again.
