Romelu Lukaku’s future at Inter is dependent on the Nerazzurri being able to negotiate a discount from Chelsea, as the striker seeks a second year on loan.
As reported in today’s newspaper edition of Tuttosport, the Belgium international is the subject of discussions between Inter and the Premier League club, with new FIFA regulations preventing him from securing a two-year loan in one deal.
This means that Inter must find a new agreement with Chelsea to renew his loan next summer, and they will seek to renegotiate the terms of the deal.
Whilst Inter and Chelsea had a gentleman’s agreement in place in August when Lukaku returned to Serie A, ensuring that he would be able to sign for the Nerazzurri for a second season, no official figures have been finalised.
Chelsea are hoping to maximise their side of the deal by maintaining the current terms of the loan, €7.86 million fee and €3m in bonuses, plus €8.5m of the player’s €12m wages, or indeed increase them.
Inter, meanwhile, are keen to reduce these figures after an injury-hit campaign for Lukaku upon his return to the Nerazzurri this season.
The former Manchester United striker joined Chelsea in a €115m deal in 2021 but a miserable season saw him loaned back to Inter.