Chelsea forward Romelu Lukaku on Tuesday secured a long-anticipated loan move to Serie A side Inter Milan in the hopes of bouncing back after a disappointing return to the Premier League.

Lukaku has been loaned to Inter for a period of one season, with no option to buy or any obligation clause.

Inter will pay Chelsea a loan fee of €8 million (£6.9 million) for the Belgian forward, with an additional €4 million in potential add-ons contingent on Lukaku’s performance.

Also read | Chelsea preparing new bid for Sterling after Man City reject first offer

Lukaku himself will earn a salary of €8 million annually, down from €12 million last season, Romano further said, adding that the Belgian’s medical will take place in Milan next week.

Lukaku, who had spent his early career at Chelsea before rising to stardom at Everton, had a fantastic run with Inter Milan over the course of two seasons, scoring 64 goals in 95 games to help the I Nerazzurri to a Serie A title win.

Also read | In Vincent’s Kompany: Ex-Man City Star to bring Starry Nights to Burnley?

The 29-year-old then made a dramatic return to Chelsea in August 2021, joining the Blues for a whopping £97.5 million.

However, Lukaku’s return to the Premier League proved to be far more underwhelming than anyone could have anticipated, with the big Belgian managing to score only eight goals in his 26 appearances for Chelsea.

Lukaku’s first season after his return to the Blues was also marked by some unpleasantness, with the striker publicly criticising manager Thomas Tuchel.

Also read | Why outgoing Real Madrid full-back Marcelo is not keen on joining AC Milan

“… I am not happy with the situation at Chelsea. Tuchel has chosen to play with another system. I won’t give up. I will be professional. I am not happy with the situation but I am professional and I can’t give up now,” the 29-year-old had told Sky Italia months earlier, sparking outrage from fans.

Tuchel, however, handled the situation well while expressing his displeasure at Lukaku’s public comments, but the striker faded from the Chelsea squad as the season went on, diminishing in prominence.

At Inter, Lukaku is likely to be guaranteed a lot of minutes, but the 29-year-old has to prove his mettle in the Serie A yet again if he is to solidify his place in the team.