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Romelu Lukaku's return to Inter Milan is being funded by Italy’s taxpayers.

Lukaku took a huge pay-cut to seal a 12-month loan move back to the San Siro - just a year after Chelsea paid £97.5million to re-sign the Belgian striker. But the financial hit of seeing his £325,000-a-week wages slashed by a third to make the deal happen has been cushioned by a loophole in Italy’s tax laws which has already saved him £3million.

The Italian government introduced the ‘Rientro del cervelli’ regulation just under three years ago in a bid to persuade high-powered workers from leaving the country. It translates as ‘the return of the brains’ and was originally aimed at helping to prevent scientists, doctors and business specialists leaving the country as well as attracting new talent.

It gives those people dispensation to have just half of their salary subjected to normal taxes. But Serie A clubs and players have been cashing in as well.

Lukaku has already saved £3million on the tax bill that would have been due next month after he departed Inter for Stamford Bridge last summer.

He still owns three houses in Milan and those property interests enabled him to retain his status as a citizen and save a fortune in income tax. Lukaku will be another £3million better