Lukaku 'in tears' at sealing loan move back to Inter Milan after Chelsea issues

Romelu Lukaku was reportedly in tears after sealing a move back to Inter Milan on a season-long loan spell from Chelsea ahead of next season.

Inter have secured the return of Lukaku from Chelsea on loan after agreeing to pay a £7million fee - plus add-ons. The striker has also had to make concessions to seal his return to Italy, agreeing a salary cut from £325,000 per-week to around £210,000.

The Blues sealed a club-record transfer of £97.5m to sign the Belgian from Inter last summer, but his second stint at Stamford Bridge has not been successful. In his 44 appearances for Thomas Tuchel, the Belgium scored just 15 times and made his situation at the club worse by giving a controversial interview to Sky Sports Italia, in which he expressed his desire to return to the recently crowned Serie A champions.

According to Italian outlet Gazzetta Dello Sport, the 29-year-old became emotional after his agent informed him of the agreement reached between the two clubs for his return to San Siro on Tuesday.

Lukaku will have a medical next week before joining the Serie A outfit for pre-season, and Inter have not inserted an option or obligation to buy as part of the deal. The 29-year-old will be heading back to London next summer and is still under contract until 2026.

But Lukaku made his feelings clear over his wish to return to Inter - and reports state that he even called manager Simone Inzaghi on his birthday back in April to ask: "Mister, what do I need to do to come back?"

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Chelsea owner Todd Boehly, who recently took over the role of interim sporting director after the departure of Marina Granovskaia, is now focused on fulfilling Tuchel's wishes this transfer window.

The Blues are now believed to be eager to conclude a deal to sign Manchester City star Raheem Sterling. With pre-season looming, Tuchel and co are keen on sealing a deal as quickly as possible, but the England international has reportedly asked the Premier League champions for time before making a decision.

Sterling, who is entering into the final year of his contract at the Etihad, is said to be open to leaving the champions after the arrivals of Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez.

City are demanding in the excess of £50m for the England international, and reports suggest Chelsea have already had a bid rejected by Pep Guardiola's side. Chelsea had been credited with an interest in Ousmane Dembele, who is set to leave Barcelona, but it seems their interest has cooled in recent weeks.

Sterling wants as much first-team football as possible ahead of the Qatar World Cup, and it's been claimed that he will make his decision this summer with that in mind. Lukaku's exit will likely accelerate Chelsea's efforts to bring in a new forward.