‘Ridiculous!’ Romelu Lukaku’s £97.5 Million Chelsea Return Labelled As ‘The Worst Transfer Ever’

Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jamie O’Hara has claimed that Romelu Lukaku’s Cheslea return is ‘the worst transfer ever’.

The Belgian front man returned to the Stamford Bridge club from Inter Milan in a deal worth £97.5 million last summer, at that time, it was a real sign of intent from Blues boss Thomas Tuchel. 

Lukaku’s second spell at the club started very well as he scored four goals in four matches but his form drastically dropped as the season went on, scoring just eight in the Premier League. 

He often found himself displaced by Kai Havertz at the top of Chelsea’s attack. 

And now former Spurs and Wolves player O’Hara has had his say on Lukaku’s return. 

He told Football Daily: “What a shocking move that is. Probably the worst Premier League signing ever, he hasn't even been at Chelsea a year and they paid £100million for him - ridiculous!” 

🗣 "I would've kept him. Thomas Tuchel should've done better to keep him on side."@Mrjamieohara1 calls Romelu Lukaku to Chelsea the worst Premier League transfer 𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥 pic.twitter.com/nufHJP16iJ

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) June 22, 2022

O’Hara questioned whether Tuchel did enough to convince Lukaku to stay and fight for his place in the team. 

He said: “I would have kept him. I would have got my arm around him and said "we need Lukaku at his best this is a new era with new people" and Thomas Tuchel should have done better to keep him on side.” 

“You've got Reece James and Ben Chilwell back this season, so he's a player that would've been massive for them.” 

He added: “I think in the end he's lost his confidence, he's lost belief, the manager's lost belief and they've cut ties and moved on.” 

Lukaku ended the 21/22 campaign with just 15 goals in 44 appearances in all competitions, meaning he cost Chelsea an eye watering £6.5 million per goal this season. 

With his career with Chelsea coming to an end, Inter Milan seems to be the most likely destination, with a loan deal said to be well in the pipeline. 

Romelu Lukaku returns to Inter, here we go and confirmed! Full agreement now signed on loan deal until June 2023, €8 loan fee plus add-ons. ⚫️🔵 #CFC #Inter

▫️ Lukaku’s salary will be around €8m.

▫️ NO buy option or obligation clause.

▫️ Add-ons related to team performances. pic.twitter.com/3sEeQtfXs0

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 21, 2022

Back in December, Lukaku gave a controversial interview in which he appeared to criticise manager Tuchel. As a result of the televised conversation, Lukaku was dropped by Tuchel to protect his team from unwanted noise and speculation. 

During that interview, Lukaku said he was unhappy with how he was being used in Tuchel’s system. He later apologised to the manager. 

And now, according to reports, Inter will pay Chelsea a loan fee of £7 million plus add ons, and the striker has reportedly taken a 35% pay cut of his £325,000 a week at Chelsea, meaning he will take home around £210,000 in Milan.