The former Inter Milan teammates of striker Romelu Lukaku are baffled by his recent antics.
This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInter1908, who report that the Nerazzurri squad is in a state of bewilderment regarding the Belgian’s decision to negotiate with AC Milan and Juventus, and effectively reject Inter.
Lukaku will not be returning to Inter next season. That has become absolutely abundantly clear.
The 30-year-old will have long expected that he’d be making the return to Inter this summer. In terms of his public-facing communications and what he’s told the Nerazzurri, that’s been the only thing he’s wanted.
But behind the scenes, Lukaku and his agent Sebastien Ledure were acting quite differently.
In fact, Ledure was actively pursuing negotiations with both AC Milan and Juventus.
The reasons for this are presently unclear. There are suggestions that part of the reason for Lukaku deciding to go behind Inter’s back concerns his frustration with being benched for Edin Dzeko in important matches down the stretch last season.
Inter Milan Players Shocked At Romelu Lukaku Saga
Within the Inter squad, there was an awareness of Lukaku’s frustration that he could not break into the starting eleven ahead of Dzeko.
The Bosnian left Inter on a free transfer to join Fenerbahce, but still started against Manchester City in the Champions League final.
However, the Nerazzurri players did not realize just how much coach Simone Inzaghi’s decision evidently hurt Lukaku.
Everyone had broadly expected that the 30-year-old would return next season. Then, he could fight for his place in the team.
But that is quite clearly not how Lukaku felt.
The striker decided to pursue the nuclear option by seriously entertaining moves to Juventus and Milan.
This was enough to cause the Inter directors to angrily pull the plug. They feel completely offended and alienated by Lukaku’s actions.
But in the Nerazzurri dressing room, the mood is as much surprised and baffled as anything.
