Chelsea 'perform U-turn over Romelu Lukaku loan decision'

Chelsea have reportedly had a change of heart regarding their decision to allow Romelu Lukaku to remain at Inter Milan.

During his first campaign back at Stamford Bridge during 2021-22, Lukaku contributed 15 goals from 44 appearances in all competitions.

However, it came as no surprise when the Belgium international returned to Inter after just a year away, a consequence of failing to impress under Thomas Tuchel and a controversial interview which came less than six months after departing San Siro.

With Inter unable to afford to sign Lukaku on a permanent basis, the relevant parties reached an agreement over a season-long loan deal.

Furthermore, it has been expected since that transfer was finalised that Chelsea would allow the 29-year-old to spend another year with the Italian giants.

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Nevertheless, according to Calciomercato, the West Londoners no longer plan to give Lukaku permission to remain in Serie A.

The report suggests that the numbers would not suit Chelsea if their club-record signing was able to spend 2023-24 away from the club.

Come the end of that season, Lukaku will be 31 years of age and have two years remaining on his contract, providing that he is still tied to Chelsea.

Although Chelsea paid £97.5m to sign Lukaku last year, the Premier League outfit are said to have recouped just £6.7m in allowing Lukaku to head out on a temporary basis.

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While a similar loan fee is said to have been tentatively agreed and Chelsea have saved money by Lukaku taking a pay cut, the Chelsea powers-that-be are reportedly no longer interested in a second loan departure.

Instead, co-owner and chairman Todd Boehly would prefer to bring Lukaku back to Chelsea and look to find a buyer for his services.

While Chelsea would not receive anywhere near to the financial outlay that they made in August 2021, getting Lukaku's wages off their outgoings in full would come as a long-term benefit.

As it stands, Lukaku is enduring a disastrous second stint at Inter with injury restricting him to just three starts and two substitute outings in all competitions.

A recurrence of a thigh injury will allegedly keep the Belgian frontman out of his nation's opening two fixtures at the World Cup.