Inter Milan are “optimistic” about keeping Romelu Lukaku beyond the end of the season, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

The Serie A club’s chief executive Beppe Marotta spoke out to express his uncertainty surrounding Lukaku’s situation, following Chelsea’s sacking of Thomas Tuchel and the appointment of Graham Potter. However, Romano claims that Inter are expecting to keep hold of Lukaku after his loan spell expires, even though Potter’s arrival could complicate matters:

“The feeling at Inter is that the Tuchel sack story is not going to change the situation around Lukaku. They feel that they will have a chance to keep Lukaku for one more year at least on loan also for season 2023/2024 but it has to be negotiated with Chelsea. hey already discussed it when they built the one-year loan deal, but it has to be negotiated with Chelsea so let’s see if Graham Potter will decide to change the situation.”

“But Inter are absolutely happy with Lukaku and optimistic that they can keep Romelu long term because there is an important point, Lukaku only wants Inter as of today. We will see at the end of the season but as of now, for Lukaku it’s only Inter, and Inter more than happy with him so the expectation is for the situation not to change.”

The fact that Inter don’t have a purchase option in their agreement with Chelsea means that the final decision will be Potter’s and whoever is appointed as the Blues’ new sporting director.

If Lukaku is determined to stay in Italy then it may be the case that they won’t consider the possibility of bringing him back next summer but, as Romano points out, a lot could change between now and June. It’s definitely a situation to keep an eye on.