Long linked with Chelsea since he left the club in 2014, Romelu Lukaku has finally returned to the European champions.
Romelu Lukaku has returned to Chelsea after the European champions signed the Belgisn forward from Inter Milan for a reported £97.5 million (€115m) fee.
After winning the Champions league last season, Chelsea have been in the hunt for a top tier striker to further bolster their squad.
Erling Haaland was a target but Chelsea saw their approach rebuffed by Borussia Dortmund, who are in no need to sell the Norwegian star after the brought in €85m (£72.6m) for Jadon Sancho.
Chelsea subsequently switched their focus to Lukaku who led Inter to their first Serie A title in a decade last season netting 24 goals.
An initial offer was repor8turned down by the Serie A club after the striker who had earlier claimed he wanted to stay at the San Siro and play under new manager Simone Inzaghi expressed his desire to leave, Inter opted to sell their prized asset.
“I am happy and blessed to be back at this wonderful club,” the Belgian told Chelsea’s website. “It’s been a long journey for: I came here as a kid who had a lot to learn, now I am coming back with a lot of experience and more mature.”
Lukaku’s signing though Chelsea’s club record falls just £2.5m short of the British transfer record set by Jack Grealish’s switch to Manchester City. Lukaku has signed a five year deal to head back to Stamford Bridge. SOURCE: FotMob/The Guardian