Inter president reveals one condition for Lukaku's Chelsea return

Inter president, Massimo Marotta, has revealed the most important factor that will decide whether on-loan striker Romelu Lukaku will continue at the club or return to parent club Chelsea. 

Lukaku has suffered from recurring injuries for most of the 2022/23 season while he has been on loan with Inter, losing his starting berth to 37-year-old Edin Dzeko, leading many to suggest that the Nerazzurri will be unwilling to either extend his current loan deal or sign him on a permanent basis from Chelsea. 

However, Lukaku’s form has greatly improved since his full recovery from a troublesome ankle injury, with the Belgian forward directly contributing to 10 goals since February, more than any other Serie A player except Inter’s Lautaro Martinez and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, who have also been involved in 10 goals since then. 

Lukaku’s improved form has seen his stocks rise at Inter, with the team now more interested in keeping the Belgian forward beyond his current loan deal. 

Inter’s president has commented on the possibility of keeping Lukaku, saying that the most important thing that could decide if the 30-year-old forward continues at the Nerazzurri is Chelsea’s incoming boss, Mauricio Pochettino.

Marotta said, “He is on loan until June 30, then he’ll be back to Chelsea who will decide his future, we still don’t know the directors and the next coach of the Blues.

“Will we bring him back? We’ll evaluate in the future when we’ll sit down with the technical area. Now we are focused on the present with extraordinary games ahead.”

With Pochettino yet to fully take the Chelsea hot seat and unfurl his plans for the team, Inter might have to wait a little longer before they know whether or not they will be able to count on Lukaku for the 2023/24 season.