Romelu
Lukaku has landed in Milan this morning to complete his loan move to Inter
Milan.
The Chelsea striker flew into Milan Linate airport around 6.20am local time
and posed with an Inter scarf before getting in a car.
"I'm so happy to be back," he said. He will undergo a medical with Inter on
Wednesday ahead of being officially announced as a new Inter player.
Inter will pay Chelsea a loan fee of £6.9m plus £3.5m in bonuses if they win
the Scudetto, and will cover all his wages this season.
Only the final details of the deal need to be resolved before Inter can
welcome Lukaku back to the club just 11 months after they sold him to
Chelsea for £97.5m.
Lukaku has agreed to a 30-per-cent pay cut to smooth his exit, with his
earnings set to drop from £10m per year after tax to £7m.
The breakthrough last week came after several rounds of negotiations over
the past few weeks involving Lukaku's lawyer Sebastian Ledure and Inter
chief executive Giuseppe Marotta.
Lukaku scored just eight Premier League goals in 26 outings last season
after returning to Stamford Bridge for a club-record fee.
In December, Lukaku told Sky in Italy he wanted to return to Inter one day,
saying: "I really hope in the depths of my heart to return to Inter, not at
the end of my career, but at a still good level to hopefully win more."
Last week, it was revealed Inter cannot afford to sign Lukaku - who scored
64 goals in 95 games and helped them to the Serie A title during his time at
the club - on a permanent deal.
Chelsea decided to let Lukaku leave after talks between Todd Boehly - who
was appointed chairman and interim sporting director on Wednesday - and
Thomas Tuchel, as well as discussions between Boehly and Lukaku.
The owner and head coach wanted to resolve Lukaku's future quickly so as
they could focus on strengthening their squad this summer.
Chelsea are keen to sign Raheem Sterling from Manchester City, while
Richarlison, Ousmane Dembele, Jules Kounde, Matthijs de Ligt, Jonathan
Clauss and Milan Skriniar are also targets.
The Blues are also in talks with Leeds over a deal for winger Raphinha, with
the club prepared to sanction a deal in excess of £50m to get the deal done.
Inter ultras: We won't welcome Lukaku with
scarves or banners
The club's most loyalist fans say he will have to earn their respect again
through his performances after he left last summer to re-join Chelsea.
A statement read: "Since Lukaku's return to Inter is very likely, a few
things need to be made clear.
"Curva Nord supports Inter Milan and will not stage any protest against the
player (despite his behaviour last summer). That being said, nobody shall go
and welcome him with scarves and banners representing the Curva or its
groups. He will need to earn everything that, in case, will be done for him
in the future with humility and sweat on the pitch.
"He was supported (and treated) like a king, now he's just a player like
many others.
"It shall also be clear to everyone that we will never cheer against Lukaku
if he will wear the Inter jersey again.
"We encourage all Interisti [Inter fans] anyway not to fall in the other
trap, to run and drool after him.
"Clearly there is an instinctive and emotional element, but to pretend that
nothing has happened would only accelerate that process aimed at making us
all dumb and slavish consumers.
"We took note of Lukaku's betrayal and we were extremely disappointed.
"With time we can even forgive such things to a footballer, but the facts
won't change.
"Now, Romelu, let's kick and run."
'One of the worst transfers in PL history'
Sky Sports News' chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol:
"There isn't a positive spin you can put on this. The transfer will go down
in Premier League history as one of the worst transfer deals of all time.
Chelsea signed him for almost £100m, he was brilliant for two seasons at
Inter, but came to Chelsea and things started going wrong quickly.
"He gave that interview to Sky in Italy in which he basically said he wanted
to go back to Inter. It looks from the outside that his heart hasn't been in
it. I understand, he doesn't particularly like the way Chelsea play under
Thomas Tuchel, but it doesn't look like he's tried too hard to adapt. I
think the vast majority of Chelsea supporters will be glad to see the back
of him.
"But it is an extraordinary tale, a player they signed for almost £100m
going back to Inter a year later on what will probably be a loan deal, and
Inter will pay £10m to begin with. And then there are his wages, because
he's on about £325,000 per week at Chelsea. Someone close to the
negotiations told us yesterday that he is leaving. He doesn't have a future
at Chelsea."
Which positions are Chelsea targeting?
Sky Sports News' senior reporter Melissa Reddy:
Chelsea are pressing ahead with their summer recruitment plans now that the
£4.25bn Todd Boehly-led consortium takeover of the club has been completed.
The Blues have a verbal agreement already in place with Sevilla defender
Jules Kounde, with the Spanish club preferring a quick deal as they aim to
balance their books before June 30.
Talks on a deal for Kounde had collapsed last year but there is optimism
from all parties it will get done this time.
Paris Saint-Germain's Presnel Kimpembe is part of a shortlist of central
defensive options and is Thomas Tuchel's preference. Atletico Madrid's Jose
Gimenez and RB Leipzig's Josko Gvardiol are also among those being looked
at.
top