Romelu Lukaku has hinted that he always had a back-up plan of returning to Inter Milan in case he ended up flopping at Chelsea.
The Belgian striker was signed for a then club record £97m in the summer of 2021. He looked to be just what Chelsea needed as they bolstered their strike force with their former forward.
He was fresh off the back of a 30-goal season having helped Inter to the Serie A crown. Lukaku was not able to continue that form with the Blues after scoring 15 goals during his debut campaign in all competitions back at Stamford Bridge.
He also courted controversy after an outspoken interview and was quickly forced to apologise. The striker was very quickly back on the move as he was allowed to return to Inter on loan.
Despite an injury-hit campaign, he looks to be ending the season in positive form ahead of a potential return to Stamford Bridge. Speaking out on his original Chelsea switch, he has hinted that he had put plans in place in case he did not settle.
Speaking to Het Laatste Nieuws, he said: “I was good at Chelsea last season. But I knew then that if it didn’t work out at Chelsea, I still had Inter.
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“When I signed again, I knew: I belong here. I had that too at Anderlecht. I take this club seriously. I want to do my best. The people here see that. Being encouraged here is the best thing there is.”
Lukaku faces an uncertain future heading into the summer transfer window. Incoming Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino would be keen to give him another chance at Stamford Bridge.
Reports have suggested that the Blues are keen on Napoli sensation Victor Osimhen as they attempt to bolster their attacking options even further. Elsewhere, it is suggested that Lukaku could yet return to Inter Milan once more.
The Italian club’s CEO Beppe Marotta has suggested that the striker is happy at the San Siro but is unsure when talks will take place with Chelsea over an extended deal.
"Romelu loves the shirt he wears, he is very comfortable at Inter,” he told Radio Rai. “These are fundamental aspects, this desire of his to be with us.
"But he is on loan until June 30. He will return to Chelsea, and we don't know what will happen on a technical level at that club. At the moment we are at the window."
Lukaku still has three years left to run on the long-term contract that he originally signed with the Blues. He has made a total of 59 appearances for Chelsea, scoring a total of 15 goals.
