Graham Potter has issued Romelu Lukaku an ultimatum regarding his future at Chelsea as the striker edges closer to an exit. The 29-year-old was heavily linked with a permanent move from Stamford Bridge after falling out of favour under Thomas Tuchel.
Lukaku struggled to acclimatise to the Premier League upon his return, and time under the German soon ran out, which saw him relegated to the sidelines. Due to Inter Milan's spending restrictions, the Italian giants were not willing to meet the Blues' asking price to sign the striker outright.
Instead, the Nerazzurri opted for a season-long loan, and Chelsea negotiated a fee to be paid for Lukaku's services. However, while the Belgium international is set to return to a new head coach at the end of the season following Tuchel's sacking, he still faces an uncertain future at the club.
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According to Calcio Mercato, the west London club does not want to take back a striker who doesn't fit the profile of what Potter typically demands. However, the report states that Lukaku doesn't want to return to Cobham training ground upon the end of his loan at Inter.
It's said that initial contact has been made between Chelsea and the Italian giants regarding a solution to the Belgian stay at the San Siro beyond the agreed season-long loan. Calcio Mercato add that there are two options currently on the table; another loan or a fee in the region of £7million.
Lukaku sees his deal at Stamford Bridge expiring in 2026, but as aforementioned, there is doubt over his future at the Blues under Potter's stewardship. And, after leaving on bad terms, a return seems unlikely regardless of the new Chelsea boss' plans.
Speaking to DAZN Italia last month, the £60.7million-rated talisman revealed that there was anger inside of him upon his exit. He also admitted that he doesn't see his situation at Chelsea improving.
"The season at Chelsea gave me extra motivation to do even better than before," Lukaku said. "I think in a year, people have forgotten what I can do on the pitch. This is a kind of anger that I have inside of me.
"When I left, I had in mind to get a rematch with Chelsea. When I was young, I was at Chelsea for eleven years, and I wanted to come back to be a protagonist.
"After the last game, I started thinking about what the best situation was for me. The season for me at Chelsea was difficult, and I think things would not improve in the future and so I decided to come back here."
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