Romelu Lukaku trying to force Chelsea exit and return to Inter Milan

Romelu Lukaku is hoping to force through a return to Inter Milan from Chelsea this summer.

Senior sources at both clubs are convinced the striker wants to quit Stamford Bridge after a disappointing season and return to Italy.

Following the broadcast of the now infamous interview with Sky Italia at the end of December, in which Lukaku stated he was “not happy” at Chelsea and talked up the prospect of one day returning to Inter, it is understood that he initially resolved to stay and make a success of the club record £97.5million move.

However the 29-year-old, whose form has not significantly improved and who has struggled to impress head coach Thomas Tuchel, now appears determined to leave and is hoping that a move can be agreed. If a deal can be agreed it is likely to be a season-long loan with an option to buy with Lukaku’s lawyer, Sebastien Ledure, believed to be prepared to lead the negotiations.

Lukaku’s agent is Federico Pastorello, who brokered the move to Inter from Manchester United and then from Inter to Chelsea, but his mandate to represent the Belgian international is due to expire at the end of the 2021/21 season.

Pastorello also drew a sharp rebuke from Lukaku after recently giving an interview to the Italian newspaper La Repubblica in which he tried to offer some context to the player’s situation at Chelsea, saying that talks needed to take place with the new owners and admitted there was a “problem”.

On Instagram, Lukaku replied: “Never ever will I let someone speak for me. I kept my mouth shut and focused on helping the team and end the season in the best way possible. So if someone out there trying to say something about me and the club. Not in my name.”

The chances of Lukaku forcing through a loan move