Inter could very well decide to extend the loan of striker Romelu Lukaku beyond the end of the season even despite the fact that his performances have been far from expectations.
This according to today’s print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, via FCInterNews, who report that the Nerazzurri could look to leverage the Belgian’s form into a low-cost deal given that signing another striker to replace him could prove too costly.
Based purely on Lukaku’s form on the pitch this season, there would appear to be little reason for Inter to even consider negotiating another loan deal from Chelsea.
However, there is still faith in the 29-year-old’s ability to at least contribute once he finally puts the lingering effects of injury behind him, even if it is unlikely to be at the same level as his first two seasons in Milan.
As Tuttosport notes, the spending spree that Chelsea have been on means that the Premier League club would hardly be keen on having to deal with Lukaku back in the squad or find a new club for him.
Accordingly, the Nerazzurri are hoping that the Blues are open to agreeing a lower loan fee for the Belgian for next season.
Meanwhile, the player would also be expected to accept lower wages than he is currently own, with the Nerazzurri currently spending a gross amount of €11.15 million on his wages.
Should Inter be able to negotiate the costs down on bringing Lukaku back on loan next season, the feeling at the club is that doing so would still represent a more viable path forward than trying to afford the signing of an equivalent striker to replace him, given their well-known financial restrictions.