Inter Milan CEO Beppe Marotta recently spoke about the future of Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku, who is currently on loan from Chelsea. The Italian executive revealed that the player will return to the English club at the end of his loan deal and also discussed his current fitness levels.
Inter CEO Beppe Marotta Speaks on Romelu Lukaku’s Future
Inter CEO Marotta: “Lukaku deal? He will return to Chelsea as it’s straight loan, it’s part of the deal — then we will see” 🔵🇧🇪 #Inter #CFC
“Lukaku is not in good condition yet, we are still waiting to see the real Romelu as we saw in the past”. pic.twitter.com/gqu6V9BkEi
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 14, 2023
Romelu Lukaku’s Loan Deal
Marotta emphasized that the forward’s loan deal is a straight loan, which means he will return to London after the 2022/23 season. The agreement reportedly cost the Nerazzurri around £7 million, and Lukaku agreed to take a pay cut to facilitate the move.
While the loan deal is in place, it is unclear whether the Italian giants will make the move permanent after the campaign ends.
The Striker’s Current Fitness Levels
Marotta also revealed that the Belgian is not in the best condition at the moment and that Inter is still waiting for him to regain his form from seasons past. The 29-year-old had a phenomenal 2020/21 term, scoring 24 goals and providing 11 assists in the Serie A.
In doing so, he finished second in the list of top scorers, only behind Cristiano Ronaldo. However, he has struggled to replicate that form in the current season, scoring only 3 goals in 14 appearances so far.
What Could This Mean for Chelsea?
The return of Lukaku to Chelsea after his spell with Il Biscione would add to the ever-growing pool of talent in the London club. The Belgian was the Blues’ marquee signing in the summer of 2021, but things have not worked out well for both parties. Moreover, the forward’s controversial interview later that year, further strained his relationship with the fans.
With the recent signings of David Datro Fofana, Mykhailo Mudryk, Joao Felix, and Cristopher Nkunku reportedly joining in the summer, the West London club are stacked with options in attack. The Blues have however hit a lean patch in front of goal in recent weeks, having scored a meagre ten times since the turn of the year. The Belgian may yet be of use to Graham Potter’s side should he return to the club, but at the moment it remains to be seen what the future holds for the 29-year-old.
