Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku has denied reports he will be leaving the Italian champions this summer. The Belgian has been linked with an expensive transfer away from the club in light of the financial difficulties the Serie A side are struggling with.
The departure of head coach Antonio Conte – with whom Lukaku enjoyed an excellent relationship – did nothing to quash talk of an exit for the striker. However, Lukaku has revealed that conversations have taken place between himself and incoming manager Simone Inzaghi, which have made him feel comfortable that his future remains in Italy.
Romelu Lukaku Tells Media he is Staying at Inter Milan
Lukaku Has Taken Italian Football by Storm
Belgium forward Lukaku has hugely impressed since moving to the San Siro in August 2019. The 28-year-old plundered 24 goals and registered a further ten assists this season in Serie A as Inter Milan stormed to a first title since 2010.
Those goals brought the striker’s overall total to 64 in the space of just 95 games for the club. However, the Milan club’s owners are looking to free up space on their wage bill and make some money in the transfer market in order to lessen the devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic on club finances, meaning one or two star players are expected to be sold before they begin next season’s title defence.
The owners’ decision led to a breakdown in their relationship with manager Antonio Conte, who left the club last week as a result. Conte had been under contract until summer 2022 but reached a deal that allowed him to depart one year earlier than was originally planned.
Losing top scorer Lukaku as well as the hugely popular Conte would have come as a double blow to Inter supporters, who will be relieved to see the striker quash talk of an exit while on international duty with Belgian ahead of Euro 2020.
Lukaku Reveals Talks With Simone Inzaghi
Former Lazio boss Inzaghi has not officially been named as the new Inter Milan manager, but his impending arrival at the San Siro is already a formality.
Lukaku told Belgian network VTM that the pair have already spoken, and that talks got off to an encouraging start. The striker said: “I’ve already had contact with the man who becomes our new manager. Maybe I shouldn’t say that yet. It was a very positive conversation. There is also the challenge of doing it again next season [and defending the Serie A title].”
Lukaku’s Belgium, the world’s top-ranked international side, have been drawn in Group B alongside Russia, Denmark and Finland for this summer’s rearranged European Championships.
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