With Romelu Lukaku's loan move to Inter Milan on the verge of completion, club CEO Beppe Marotta told reporters how happy he was to bring back the striker.
After only a year from the club, Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku is set to return to Italian giants Inter Milan. The Italian club sold the Belgian for a record sale, as Chelsea bought the striker for over €100 million. Inter CEO Beppe Marotta talked about the Lukaku loan, which is on the verge of completion.
"I hope it can be closed, not in a few hours, but in a few days. We cannot make it official yet. He is a returning player who has done very well with us, and we are happy to bring him home," Marotta said, reports 90min. Lukaku has been a disastrous signing for Chelsea after arriving from Inter in August 2021.
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Lukaku started well with Chelsea, scoring a goal in its win over Arsenal. In September, he would also score two in a 3-0 win against Aston Villa. Lukaku's form would drop in the next few months as he also battled injury. However, the nail in the coffin was seemingly his interview in December 2021.
In an interview with Sky Italia, Lukaku said, "I'm not happy with the situation. It is normal. I think the coach has chosen to play with another system. I have not to give up and continue to work and be a professional. I am not happy with the situation, but I am a worker and must not give up."
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Lukaku added, "How I left Inter, how I communicated with the fans, this bothers me because it is not the right time now, but even when I left, it was not the right time. I think it is right to speak because I have always said I have Inter in my heart. I will return to play there. I hope so. I hope in the depths of my heart to return to Inter, not at the end of my career, but a good level to hopefully win more."
The comments by Lukaku, who was on a long-term contract with Chelsea, incensed fans and manager Thomas Tuchel alike. The German coach suspended the Belgian following these comments. While Lukaku scored some crucial goals for Chelsea in the second half of the season, a move away has looked inevitable.