02 January 2023 , 06:53
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Romelu Lukaku claims "everyone knows what I want" as he made it clear he wants to quit Chelsea for a permanent return to Inter Milan.
The Belgian in currently on loan at the Italian side having secured a summer switch. Only 18 months ago he completed a club-record move worth £97.5m back to the Blues, having spent two impressive years at the San Siro, but endured a difficult year under Thomas Tuchel.
Cited as the missing piece of the jigsaw, Lukaku began brightly but then tailed off, eventually copping public criticism from his manager as he was resigned to the bench. The striker gave a mid-season interview, expressing his desire to return to Inter, which he later apologised for.
However his desire remains the same and he is hopeful Chelsea and the Serie A side can come to an agreement that allows him to move back to Italy.
He told Sky Italia : "Inter fans are truly special; for me they're the best I've met. Even if we are in trouble, they are always there to help the team. I thought they were still angry with me, but they know I've always had Inter in my heart, even if I left. I had a few conversations with my team-mates; I told them the truth about why I left and why I came back.
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"I hope to stay in the future too. For me, Inter means everything. Now I have to do everything necessary, together with the team, for Inter to win. Then we'll see." Lukaku has only made five appearances so far this term as he struggles with injury problems.
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Romelu Lukaku wants to make his move to Inter Milan a permanent one (Mattia Ozbot/Inter via Getty Images)He previously scored 64 times in his two seasons at Inter, helping them claim the league title in 2021. Chelsea are likely to assess their situation in the final third come the summer with Graham Potter's side struggling for goals following their summer overhaul.
Lukaku and Timo Werner, who secured a permanent switch back to RB Leipzig, were both allowed to leave with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang the only natural No 9 bought in by the club. The Blues have lacked potency, which leaves them very much in a battle for the top four.
New owner Todd Boehly has shown a willingness to part with huge funds, spending more than £200m in the summer, and is likely to pursue a new forward. It remains to be seen though how much of a loss he and the club are willing to take on Lukaku, who they are unlikely to breakeven on given their outlay.