Romelu Lukaku has been handed a major blow to his efforts in securing a move back to Inter Milan this summer, with the Italian giants up against an ongoing battle in the boardroom. He has been heavily linked with a move away from Chelsea this season, though the finances seem to be denying Simone Inzaghi's chances of signing the striker.
The 28-year-old has reportedly agreed upon a salary with the Italian giants ahead of a potential loan return to the Serie A this summer as the Blues issue a short deadline to the Belgian's agent to get the deal wrapped up. football.london understand that the Belgium international has asked his lawyer to check the possibility of a possible return to the San Siro, less than 12 months after making the move from Milan to London.
However, according to Calciomercato, Inter must first solve the futures of Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal, who each have a year left on their current deals with the Nerazzurri. The Chilean duo are among the highest earners at the club and the Italian giants may be reduced to terminating these deals by mutual consent rather than making any profit on a sale.
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Sanchez, who will likely demand a farewell fee if his deal is terminated, has reportedly already rejected several moves away from Inter ahead of the summer, throwing a spanner in the works. All in all, a deal for Lukaku on loan can not be completed until this issue is resolved.
The Chelsea striker has struggled to acclimatise to the Premier League upon his return to west London. Lukaku, who is said to cost Inter £20m to loan according to The Telegraph, found the net just 17 times in 44 appearances this season and his overriding misfortune in front of goal often saw him relegated to the bench.
While the number nine may have worked his way back into Thomas Tuchel's side in the latter stages of the campaign, doubt continues to be cast over his future, having failed to help the Blues narrow the gap with Manchester City and Liverpool. He's been linked with a return to the Serie A, with both Inter and AC Milan seemingly keen to court his interest.
football.london also understands that Lukaku were to hold talks with Todd Boehly and the higher-ups ahead of making his final decision. Whether or not these talks have happened or not seem to have had no impact on the striker who reportedly wants nothing to do with current manager Tuchel 'anymore', according to the latest Italian reports via Sport Witness.
"I think if he plans to talk with the owner, maybe it is not his plan to talk with me. It's fair enough. Let's see if he gets a meeting! It is his right. We will talk to anybody," Tuchel said on the £59m-rated striker ahead of the FA Cup final. "We will evaluate any situation of any player, including Romelu. We will see what is going to happen and what the plans are."
