Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku was reportedly moved to tears after sealing a move back to Inter Milan on a season-long loan.
According to Italian sports outlet Gazzetta Dello Sport, the Belgian striker became emotional after his parent club Chelsea agreed on a deal with Inter that will see him spend the 2022/23 season at the San Siro.
Inter agreed to pay a £7 million loan fee – plus add-ons while Lukaku has also had to make concessions, agreeing on a salary cut from £325,000 per week to around £210,000.
The striker sealed a club-record transfer of £97.5m to join the Blues last season after three seasons at Inter, where he won the Serie A under Antonio Conte. But his second stint at Stamford Bridge has been unsuccessful, as he scored just 15 times in 44 appearances.
He also made his situation at the London club worse by giving a controversial interview to Sky Sports Italia, in which he expressed his desire to return to the San Siro.
Lukaku will have a medical next week before joining the Serie A outfit for pre-season. The deal does not include an option or obligation for Inter to buy him as the 29-year-old, who is still under contract until 2026, will head back to London next summer.
Meanwhile, Lukaku’s exit has hastened Chelsea’s pursuit of Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling.
The Blues are now believed to be eager to conclude a deal to sign the City winger, who is reportedly the major transfer target of Thomas Tuchel this summer.
With pre-season looming, the German coach is keen on sealing a deal for the England man as quickly as possible, but Sterling has reportedly asked for more time before deciding.
The 26-hear-old, who is entering the final year of his contract at the Etihad, is said to be open to leaving the Premier League champions after the arrivals of Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez.
