Belgian football expert Kristof Terreur has suggested that Inter Milan will not necessarily remain in the hunt to sign Chelsea forward Romelu Lukaku.
Since the end of the season, speculation has persisted regarding the future of Lukaku, who did not enjoy the best of first years back at Stamford Bridge.
Despite scoring 15 goals in all competitions, just eight of those strikes came in the Premier League, and the 29-year-old did not adapt to Thomas Tuchel's style of play.
If reports are to be believed, all parties want to bring a successful conclusion to complex negotiations, the aim seemingly being on the Belgium international returning to San Siro on a loan deal.
However, while that may still prove to be the case, Terreur has cast doubt over whether Inter are prepared to put their finances further at risk just to accommodate their former leading frontman.
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Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live's Euro Leagues podcast, Terreur said: "This soap opera has been running since Lukaku gave that interview to Sky Italia in December. He clearly wants away from Chelsea - but going back to Inter is not an easy one.
"They have a very tight budget and would probably have to take him on loan or do a player swap but that does not happen often. It will be a very difficult deal.
"There were pictures of Paulo Dybala's agent going into the Inter offices and he would be free. They also already have Lautaro [Martinez], [Edin] Dzeko and [Joaquin] Correa. I'm not sure Inter want Lukaku as much as he wants Inter."
Aware that Inter are in no position to sign Lukaku on a permanent deal, Chelsea are allegedly prepared to accept a £20m loan fee in order to help facilitate a deal.
Furthermore, the player could take a pay cut in order to ease the FFP strain put on Inter, a position which they are already trying to ease ahead of 2022-23.
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Part-exchange deals have also been mentioned, Milan Skriniar moving in the opposite direction seemingly making most sense with the defender having 12 months left on his contract and Chelsea requiring at least one new centre-back.
However, the Blues face competition from the likes of Paris Saint-Germain for the Slovakia international's signature and have other targets on their shortlist.
In the case of Dybala, the Argentine playmaker is departing Juventus on a free transfer this summer and it has long been speculated that Inter are willing to meet his wage demands.
Nevertheless, that would decrease the chances of Lukaku getting his Inter reunion, unless Inter were prepared to part ways with either Martinez or Dzeko.
Darren Plant
