Chelsea have told Romelu Lukaku to reduce his weekly salary if he wants to make a return to Inter Milan this summer, according to reports.
After just one season at Stamford Bridge, Lukaku is looking to head back to Italy to his former side in a bid to cut short his £97.5m club-record transfer back to the capital.
But Inter cannot afford to re-sign the Belgium international on a permanent basis due to their economic situation, however they are targeting reuniting with the forward on loan.
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But an agreement between all parties will only be possible through a compromise. That will start with the Nerazzurri paying a large loan fee to Chelsea to acquire the 29-year-old.
Lukaku currently earns around £325,000-a-week and Inter are claimed to be willing to pay just over a third of his salary should he make the switch. Chelsea are open to a salary-sharing arrangement with the Serie A club, but have issued Lukaku with a demand which will be crucial over whether or not he departs this summer.
As reported by Ben Jacobs, the Blues want their most expensive asset to take a significant pay cut if they are to allow him to leave on loan.
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Without Lukaku taking a decrease in earning, which he is believed to want to do, Chelsea won’t proceed to allow him to transfer back to Inter on loan for the 2022/23 season.
They will not let him leave out of sentiment and Tuchel’s side want to find a replacement for him before they agree to a move.
Robert Lewandowski, Christopher Nkunku and Gabriel Jesus have all been linked with the Blues so far ahead of the transfer window opening this Friday.
Tuchel will be given around £200m to spend to rebuild his squad ahead of the 2022/23 season, with Todd Boehly ready to make ‘bold signings’ following his and Clearlake Capital’s takeover of Chelsea last month.
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Following the announcement, Boehly made a promise: "We’re all in - 100 percent - every minute of every match. Our vision as owners is clear: we want to make the fans proud. Along with our commitment to developing the youth squad and acquiring the best talent, our plan of action is to invest in the Club for the long-term and build on Chelsea’s remarkable history of success.”
Lukaku has also already been speaking to directors and former teammates in a bid to switch back to Inter Milan.
Topics: Romelu Lukaku, Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours, Chelsea, Inter Milan
Matthew Debono