The transfer troubles around Romelu Lukaku are causing enormous unrest internally at Internazionale. Chairman Steven Zhang was planning to sell the 28-year-old striker with an increased offer from Chelsea of between 110 and 120 million euros, according to several Italian media, but is encountering strong resistance from within at Inter. Zhang is now reconsidering his options, reports La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Chelsea made an offer of 100 million euros plus Marcos Alonso for Lukaku at the beginning of this week. Internazionale wiped the offer off the table, but did not get rid of Chelsea. The Londoners are preparing a new offer of more than 110 million euros, Fabrizio Romano reported on Thursday. Inter-president Zhang is inclined to accept such an offer, but the management, consisting of Beppe Marotta and Piero Ausilio, and trainer Simone Inzaghi are strongly against it.
Internazionale is struggling with serious financial problems, partly due to the corona crisis, and for that reason already let Achraf Hakimi leave for Paris Saint-Germain. Inzaghi was promised on his appointment as Antonio Conte’s successor that Hakimi would be the only star player to be sold, but Zhang had since changed his mind. Although the departure of Lukaku, Serie A’s top scorer last season, would leave deep marks in sporting terms, Inter could use the money immensely. The board, which would only be allowed to reinvest a third of the amount, would have threatened to resign if Zhang continues the sale of Lukaku. That makes the Chinese businessman seriously doubt.
Lukaku himself sees a return to Chelsea, reported Sky Italy and Romano earlier. The Belgian striker can expect an annual salary of thirteen million euros plus three million euros in variables in London, while he has a contract in Milan for 8.5 million euros per year. Lukaku also sees a return to the Premier League on a sporting level. The attacker was already under contract with Chelsea between 2011 and 2014, but only made 15 appearances in the main squad. Via Everton and Manchester United he ended up at Inter in 2019, with which he became champion last season.