Romelu Lukaku has reiterated that he wants to stay at Inter Milan beyond the end of the season.
The 29-year-old is on loan at the Italian club from Chelsea but it has not been the successful return to Inter he had hoped for, with just five Serie A goals scored this season as he has battled injury problems.
Inter do not have an option or obligation to make the move a permanent one, and with Lukaku under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2026, the Serie A side’s CEO Guiseppi Marotta made it clear last month that the striker will be back in London this summer.
“The loan was for one season so on June 30 regardless of how well he plays, he’ll go back to Chelsea,” Marotta said.
It remains to be seen what impact the managerial situation at Chelsea has on Lukaku’s future at the club, with Mauricio Pochettino appearing increasingly likely to be appointed the permanent successor to Graham Potter, who had opened the door for the Belgian to return.
Lukaku scored twice in Inter’s win over the weekend against Empoli, and after the match discussed his future with Inter and his bond with the club’s supporters.
“I have an excellent relationship with the fans and I’ve always tried to give everything for Inter because it gave me the opportunity to win two years ago,” Lukaku said. “This club has allowed me to become who I am today.”
On whether he wanted to stay at Inter, he aded: “Yes, but guys you have to pay attention to those things. My goal is to give my best for Inter.”
