Romelu Lukaku looks set to return to Chelsea this summer as Inter have decided not to renew his loan deal – with Roberto Firmino and Marcus Thuram on the Italian club's radar.
Firmino has decided not to extend his contract with the Reds and will walk away from Anfield at the end of this season. The 31-year-old was in talks over a new deal at the club but will not extend his stay and instead pursue a new challenge, with clubs aware he is available as a free agent.
The Brazilian is wanted by Inter, who are seeking to bolster their frontline this summer with Lukaku set to leave the Milanese giants. He is now set to return to Stamford Bridge, which means the Blues will have a decision on whether to keep him or, more likely, attempt to sell him permanently.
Lukaku was a popular figure with Inter before he was lured back to Stamford Bridge for a second spell in the summer of 2021 in a blockbuster £97.5million move. But after struggling to live up to expectations, the 29-year-old was shipped back out to the Serie A outfit on loan before the start of the 2022/23 campaign.
The Belgian striker has been plagued by injuries this season and has found the net just seven times in 24 appearances to date. Inter are struggling domestically, having lost 10 of their 29 Serie A matches to date this campaign, although are on the brink of reaching the Champions League semi-finals, having won the Italian Super Cup and reached the last four of the Coppa Italia.
Yet they are seeking to streamline their squad ahead of next season and reduce outgoings, meaning that they cannot justify keeping Lukaku on their books beyond this season. The situation is outlined in Gazzetta dello Sport, which claims Inter have already drawn up a shortlist to replace the former Manchester United striker.
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Firmino is a leading candidate for the Nerazzurri due to not costing a transfer fee and a belief that his profile would fit into their attack. Borussia Monchengladbach forward Marcus Thuram is another player who will be a free agent this summer.
France international Thuram has been on the radar of several Premier League clubs including Chelsea and Manchester United, but his destination may instead be northern Italy.
Firmino, having joined from Hoffenheim in 2015, has bagged 109 goals in 360 Liverpool appearances – forming a fearsome front three alongside Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane. The arrivals of Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo in recent times have ushered in a period of transition.
Firmino’s agent, Roger Wittmann, has confirmed that despite indicating to the Reds his wish to leave this summer, he has not spoken to other clubs or planned his future beyond the campaign.
