Chelsea will let record signing Romelu Lukaku head back to Inter Milan after just one season if a financial package can be agreed between the two clubs.

Lukaku’s £97.5million return to Stamford Bridge has not gone to plan with the Belgian struggling to hit the heights expected of him in front of goal.

Off-field controversy also reared its head when Lukaku went public with his discontent over being benched by Thomas Tuchel in a December 2021 interview.

Now, the Guardian say that the Blues — under new ownership thanks to the successful Todd Boehly-led takeover — will not stand in the striker’s way should he wish to leave West London.

Inter would almost certainly be unable to re-sign Lukaku on a permanent basis due to the finances involved, so a loan is thought to be the likeliest outcome.

However, Chelsea will still demand as much as £25m from the Italians to make a temporary switch happen, as well as a large contribution towards Lukaku’s £325,000-per-week wages.

The 29-year-old forward was without a Premier League goal in 2022 before netting three times in his final three top-flight appearances. 

Those strikes offered hope of a turning point in his second Chelsea stint, though there remains a feeling that Lukaku is not a great fit for Tuchel’s preferred tactical system.

The Londoners’ new ownership intend to entrust all football decisions with their German manager, which suggests he may well have the final say in his No9’s final destination.

In other news

Liverpool have pulled ahead of Manchester United in the race to sign Benfica forward Darwin Nunez according to the Daily Star.

The Sun claim that Richarlison has told Everton he wants to leave the club this summer with Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid all interested.

French outlet RMC Sport believe both Manchester United and Chelsea are plotting a move for Leicester defender Wesley Fofana.