How much Inter can get Lukaku for from Chelsea

According to the calculations from Calcio e Finanza, Chelsea need to sell Inter striker Romelu Lukaku for €65m, but could accept a loan with obligation to buy for €40m.

The Belgium international was sold to the Stamford Bridge side for €113m in the summer of 2021 and returned a year later on loan for €8m plus bonuses and a shared salary between the two clubs.

The Nerazzurri are trying to negotiate a similar deal to extend the loan, which Chelsea have so far rejected outright. However, Calcio e Finanza calculate that there is a way Inter can make the move stick and allow Chelsea to if not make a profit, then at least take less of a hit on this failed agreement. It is particularly important, considering Lukaku has already turned down lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia and has his heart set on Inter.

After two years of his five-year contract and taking amortization into account, Lukaku now weighs €65m on the Chelsea accounts. His salary also costs €19m, so if he was to remain on Chelsea’s books until the contract expires in June 2024, he’d cost circa €40m. Inter are hoping to talk the Premier League side into accepting another loan, but with obligation to buy at the end of the season for a total of circa €30-35m, allowing Chelsea to more or less balance the books on this particular deal. A sale now to avoid a loss would need to be at €65m, which Inter have no intention of paying.