Chelsea forward Romelu Lukaku is reportedly determined to secure a prolonged stay at Inter Milan.
In 2021, the Italian giants cashed in on the Belgium international, generating £97.5m in allowing the player to move to Chelsea.
However, despite netting 15 times from 44 appearances in his first campaign back at Stamford Bridge, a departure was inevitable on the back of Lukaku publicly expressing a desire to return to San Siro.
A loan agreement was subsequently negotiated, the feeling being that the 29-year-old would again star down the middle of I Nerrazurri's attack.
Instead, Lukaku has endured a difficult campaign, chipping in with just five goals and one assist from 10 starts and nine substitute outings in all competitions.
Inter chief Giuseppe Marotta has already stated that Lukaku will return to Chelsea this summer, telling Sky Italia: "The loan was for one season so on June 30 regardless of how well he plays, he'll go back to Chelsea.
"Lukaku hasn't found the fitness he needs to play his best football. He's still not at his best or the player we got to see in years gone by."
Nevertheless, according to Tuttosport, Lukaku is willing to do what is needed to remain at Inter for at least another season.
In theory, that is not a simple task due to Lukaku's wages at Chelsea and the fact that he holds a contract until 2026.
Meanwhile, Chelsea's hierarchy will be eager to recoup as much of the outlay spent by their predecessors as possible, yet acknowledging that they will come nowhere near to receiving the fee previously shelled out.
That said, Lukaku has allegedly informed Inter that he is willing to take a wage cut in order to spend what would be a fourth season at the club.
The report adds that Inter may now be able to accommodate Lukaku, although Chelsea could insist on receiving a substantial fee to proceed with another temporary exit for their former club-record signing.
Lukaku found some form over the international break, scoring on four occasions as Belgium recorded wins away in Sweden and Germany. body check tags ::
