Inter are continuing to monitor Romelu Lukaku’s situation at Chelsea following sanctions against Blues owner Roman Abramovich, but a deal remains difficult.
As reported in today’s newspaper edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Nerazzurri remain interested in bringing their former striker back to the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, less than a year after selling him.
Chelsea face great uncertainty after Russian owner Abramovich was sanctioned by the British government due to his alleged close ties with President Vladimir Putin, and as part of the UK’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This has led to severe financial restrictions on the Premier League club, and Inter are considering the possibility of a return for Lukaku.
However, there are three major stumbling blocks that could stop any such deal from happening, even if Chelsea were able to sell, with their current restrictions limiting transfer activity.
Firstly, it would require Abramovich to sell the West London club so that a transfer could be facilitated, with current sporting director Marina Granovskaia unwilling to entertain a discounted sale of a player that cost €113 million last summer.
Any deal would also need to be a loan, with Inter unable to commit to a large transfer fee to bring the Belgian back to Serie A.
Finally, the former Manchester United striker would be required to take a significant wage cut on his current €12.5m per year deal at Stamford Bridge, with Inter unwilling to pay more than what he had earned prior to departing. The Nerazzurri could offer him €7.5m plus bonuses, although it is thought that Lukaku has indicated a willingness to take a reduction.