Romelu Lukaku has retuned to Inter Milan on loan for the 2022-23 season, ending his nightmare second spell with Chelsea.
The Italian club confirmed the deal was done in a video of the striker on top of their HQ in which he declared "I"m back!" to president Steven Zhang. The 29-year-old re-signed for the Blues last summer for a club-record £97.5 million but managed to score just eight Premier League games amid a rollercoaster campaign at Stamford Bridge from both a club and personal standpoint.
Inter's deal to bring Lukaku back to San Siro will cost a total of £10.3m, made up of a £6.9m loan fee plus £3.4m in bonuses. The Belgium international has also agreed to a 30 per cent pay cut to help get the move over the line ahead of pre-season, a decision which will see his earnings drop from around £10m per year after tax to £7m.
The Nerazzurri will play all of his wages next term and hope Lukaku can return to the form he showed during his first stint in Milan. The ex- Manchester United striker bagged a sensational 64 goals in 95 games, helping Inter win their first Serie A title for 11 years in 2021.
The Italian giants hold a special place in Lukaku's heart for guiding his career back on track, and he demonstrated his affection for them when he gave a bombshell interview midway through last season and reaffirmed his love for the club, sparkling fury within the Chelsea camp.
"I have always said that I have Inter in my heart: I know I will return to Inter, I really hope so," the former Everton talisman told Sky Italy. "I am in love with Italy, this is the right moment to talk and let people know what really happened. I really hope from bottom of my heart to return to Inter not at the end of my career, but when I'm still at top level to win more together."
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But Inter's most loyalist supporters have declared that Lukaku will have to earn their respect again, having ditched them for Chelsea a year ago. "Since Lukaku's return to Inter is very likely, a few things need to be made clear," a statement began. "Curva Nord supports Inter Milan and will not stage any protest against the player (despite his behaviour last summer).
"That being said, nobody shall go and welcome him with scarves and banners representing the Curva or its groups. He will need to earn everything that, in case, will be done for him in the future with humility and sweat on the pitch. He was supported (and treated) like a king, now he's just a player like many others.
"It shall also be clear to everyone that we will never cheer against Lukaku if he will wear the Inter jersey again. We encourage all [Inter fans] anyway not to fall in the other trap, to run and drool after him. Clearly there is an instinctive and emotional element, but to pretend that nothing has happened would only accelerate that process aimed at making us all dumb and slavish consumers.
"We took note of Lukaku's betrayal and we were extremely disappointed. With time we can even forgive such things to a footballer, but the facts won't change. Now, Romelu, let's kick and run."
