Chelsea centre-forward Romelu Lukaku is reportedly keen to remain at Stamford Bridge this summer despite his struggles during the 2021-22 campaign.
The Belgium international re-signed for the Blues in a £97.5m deal last August, but it has been difficult for the striker to show his best form during his second spell at the club.
The 29-year-old has only scored eight Premier League goals this term, while he has managed 15 in 42 appearances in all competitions, in addition to two assists.
Towards the end of last year, Lukaku gave an interview to the Italian media claiming that he was keen to return to Inter Milan, having failed to settle back at Stamford Bridge.
"Physically I am fine. But I'm not happy with the situation at Chelsea. [Thomas] Tuchel has chosen to play with another system - I won't give up, I'll be professional. I am not happy with the situation but I am professional - and I can't give up now," Lukaku told Sky Italia.
"I think everything that happened last summer was not supposed to happen like this... how I left Inter, the way I left the club, how I communicated with Inter fans - this bothers me because it was not the right time.
"Now it's the right time to share my feelings. I have always said that I have Inter in my heart: I know I will return to Inter, I really hope so. I am in love with Italy, this is the right moment to talk and let people know what really happened.
"I really hope from the bottom of my heart to return to Inter not at the end of my career, but when I'm still at top level to win more together. I want to apologise to the Inter fan, the timing of my words was wrong: what you did for me will remain forever."
Lukaku has been overlooked for starts in the Premier League since the turn of the year, but he has impressed in Chelsea's last two league fixtures, scoring twice against Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend before registering in his side's 3-0 win at Leeds United on Wednesday.
According to GiveMeSport, despite the speculation surrounding his future, the Belgium international wants to stay with the Blues this summer and kick on next term.
The report claims that Lukaku is hopeful that his recent form will convince Tuchel to keep hold of him, who scored 64 goals and registered 16 assists in 95 appearances for Inter ahead of a return to Chelsea.
The former Anderlecht youngster has now struck 15 goals and three assists in 57 appearances for the Blues during two separate spells, and he signed a lucrative five-year contract with the capital giants upon his return to the club last year.
Tuchel's side will take on Liverpool in the FA Cup final on Saturday before facing Leicester City and Watford in their final two Premier League matches of the season, and the capital outfit have not yet secured a position in the top four despite sitting third in the table. body check tags ::
