From Chelsea Hints To Dressing Rooma Rift – Backstory Of Inter Milan & Romelu Lukaku Summer Soap Opera

From hints coming from Chelsea to a dressing room rift, Italian media have revealed the backstory between Inter Milan and Romelu Lukaku.

Today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, report on the circumstances that saw the 30-year-old striker’s relationship with the Nerazzurri sour in a permanent way.

Lukaku joined Roma in the last couple days of the summer transfer window.

That was an outcome that few would have expected for the Belgian international.

For a long time it had seemed that Inter were on course to sign Lukaku on a permanent basis after he had been on loan last season. Then, there were shock links to Juventus and AC Milan.

But as the Gazzetta noted, behind the scenes there had always been a few doubts.

The newspaper note that there had been some contact between Inter’s directors and Lukaku. The striker updated the Nerazzurri about his progressing in fitness training during the summer, sending videos.

However, at the same time, there was a sense that he was not as passionate as he had been the previous summer.

And from the Inter squad, as well, there were one or two suggestions that maybe not all was well with Lukaku.

The first real sign that something was amiss was when the striker did not attend the wedding of his former teammate Federico Dimarco. The pair had been friends off the pitch, and the 25-year-old’s wedding served as a social gathering for the entire squad.

Meanwhile, the Gazzetta notes, there were also some hints behind the scenes.

From Chelsea, Inter got word that Lukaku had shown a willingness to negotiate with other clubs.

But for a time, this all remained under the surface.

Until, that is, it blew up in dramatic fashion.

From Hints & Speculation To A Big Blow-Up – The Rift Between Chelsea Striker Romelu Lukaku & Inter Milan

For weeks, Chelsea and Inter Milan worked on Romelu Lukaku transfer.

And in July, the Nerazzurri had seemingly broken through.

The club were willing to pay €35 million plus €5 million in add-ons to sign Lukaku on a permanent basis.

As the Gazzetta notes, that is hardly a small financial commitment for a club like Inter.

But it was once Inter agreed that deal with Chelsea that things blew up.

The Nerazzurri started to wonder what was up when Lukaku didn’t show any enthusiasm at the fact that the negotiations with Chelsea seemed to be heading in a positive direction.

Then Inter became very confused when they could not reach the Belgian after agreeing a deal with Chelsea.

And it wasn’t just the Nerazzurri directors. The squad also tried to get a hold of Lukaku.

There were WhasApp messages, phone calls, and e-mails. But no one got a response.

That is when Inter learned of the extent of Lukaku’s negotiations with Juventus and AC Milan.

And after that, Inter Sporting Director Piero Ausilio brusquely ended things with Lukaku. In a very brief phone call with the Belgian, he made clear that the Nerazzurri’s interest had ended completely.

According to the Gazzetta, the Inter directors did later ask the dressing room about whether reconciliation would be possible.

But at that point, the mood from everyone was sour. No one had any intention of forgiving Lukaku or listening to his excuses.

So the Belgian was left looking for another club.

In the end, it was a return to Serie A – but not to Juventus or Milan. Lukaku joined Roma in a u-turn that few expected.

And so when the Giallorossi travel to the San Siro on Sunday, Lukaku will be there. But not wearing an Inter shirt.