Striker Romelu Lukaku could be open to making the return from Inter to Chelsea when his loan ends if Antonio Conte were to make a shock return to the Premier League club.
This according to Italian news outlet Gazzetta.it, who report that the 29-year-old would have little intention of going back to his parent club, except on the condition of Conte taking over as head coach on a permanent basis next season.
As things stand, Lukaku is fully committed to staying at Inter past the end of his current loan deal from Chelsea, which expires at the end of June.
For their part, the Nerazzurri have not yet made up their minds as to whether or not to try and extend the Belgian’s loan deal at the end of the season, although they will base their decision on his form over the rest of the campaign.
Meanwhile, for the player’s part, Lukaku is determined to convince the Nerazzurri to keep him for another season.
Inter CEO Beppe Marotta has stated that whilst Lukaku wants to stay at Inter, he will have to return to Chelsea at least initially, and then it will be up to the two clubs to see whether they can agree a new loan deal at the end of the season.
According to the Gazzetta, however, there is one condition under which Lukaku would be happy to make the return to Chelsea, and it would be if Conte were to return to the bench.
The Blues have appointed Frank Lampard on a caretaker basis until the end of the season, but they are likely to make a different permanent appointment to replace Graham Potter next season.
The likes of recently-departed Bayern Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann and former Barcelona, Roma, and Spain boss Luis Enrique are among the coaches who Chelsea have been in talks with.
According to the Gazzetta, however, Conte is also an outside candidate, and if he were to return, the Lukaku’s stance could change given the positive relationship that he enjoys with the 53-year-old based on their two seasons together at Inter.
