Sky Sport Italia transfer market expert Gianluca Di Marzio doesn’t expect that Inter will simply get rid of striker Romelu Lukaku at the end of the current season.
Speaking live on air yesterday evening, via FCInter1908, the transfer market journalist explained that he expects the Nerazzurri will still make an effort to keep hold of the 29-year-old, although likely on renegotiated terms for a new loan from Chelsea.
Lukaku’s persistent struggles with injuries and lack of fitness have led to speculation over how much longer he has a future at Inter.
The fact that the Belgian is only at the Nerazzurri on a season-long loan from Chelsea means that, should they experience buyer’s remorse over his return last summer, they would have an easy out in simply not loaning him again.
According to Di Marzio, however, Inter feel that the effort that the player made to return and his loyalty to the club deserve some recognition.
“Inter greatly appreciated how the player pushed to return,” he explained of the situation, “he reduced his salary, he made clear to the club that he loves Inter, and I don’t think they’ll want to just bin him off.”
“I think think they’re still considering extending the Belgian’s loan,” he continued.
“Perhaps the Nerazzurri will ask to extend the loan, but not under the same conditions as last summer when they paid €8 million to bring him back to Milan,” Di Marzio continued.
“I think Inter will try to renegotiate the conditions of a loan by leveraging the player’s desire to stay,” he added, “they might look to ask for a new paid loan but for a different fee.”
