Chelsea, Inter Milan 'agree terms over Romelu Lukaku loan'

Ever since Lukaku told Italian media in December that he was unhappy with life at Stamford Bridge, there has been constant speculation regarding the player's future.

Having netted three goals during the run-in, including a double against Wolverhampton Wanderers, it was suggested that the Belgium international may remain in West London.

However, it soon became apparent that the 29-year-old was angling for a return to Inter, the club that he left in a £97.5m transfer last summer.

According to Italian journalists Gianluca Di Marzio and Fabrizio Romano, the relevant parties have settled on an agreement for a loan switch to occur as soon as possible.

Inter will pay a loan of €8m (£6.87m) plus add-ons, far lower than Chelsea's initial demands of £20m, and a transfer is now described as 'imminent'.

Previous reports have claimed that Lukaku, who won the Serie A title with Inter in 2020-21, is willing to take a pay cut in order to take on a second spell in Italy.

The deal is a straight loan with no option to buy, currently leaving Lukaku to return to West London at the end of the season.

Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel is said to have supported the departure of Lukaku, who did not fit his style of play.

The frontman contributed a total of 15 goals from 44 appearances in all competitions last season, just eight of those strikes coming in the Premier League.

Earlier in negotiations, it was reported that Chelsea had enquired about the availability of a number of Inter players, including defender Milan Skriniar.

However, everything points to the Blues having failed to make a breakthrough for the Slovakia international, who is also being linked with Paris Saint-Germain.

Earlier on Tuesday, Sky Sports News said that Inter were looking to boost their financial position by raising in the region of £50m before the end of June.

Unless a big-money offer is received for another of their most prized assets, club officials may opt to accept an improved proposal from PSG.