Italian giants Inter Milan have, on Friday, provided an insight into the finer details of the financial agreement struck with Chelsea to bring Romelu Lukaku back to the club this past summer.
The name of hitman Lukaku, of course, took its place front and centre in the football headlines ahead of the new season.
This came as the powers that be at Chelsea, just a year on from splashing out a club record fee on his signature, agreed to allow their Belgian international star to depart on loan.
Owing to a disappointing haul of just eight Premier League goals, it was decided that the Blues’ frontline would be best spearheaded by an alternative option, opening the door for former Arsenal star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to seal a move back to London.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Chelsea during the UEFA Champions League group E match between Dinamo Zagreb and Chelsea FC at Stadion Maksimir on September 6, 2022 in Zagreb, Croatia. (Alamy Stock Photo)
Lukaku, though, has since endured an equally underwhelming start to life back in Serie A.
Owing to a series of fitness issues, the 29-year-old has been afforded just four appearances across all competitions.
And now, as alluded to above, an insight into exactly how much of their €115m fee the Blues have thus far recouped has been provided.
The info comes courtesy of an Inter Milan balance statement, which confirms that the Nerazzurri forked over a €7.8m fee to bring Lukaku back to San Siro for the 2022/23 campaign.
Inter official balance confirms they paid €7,8m loan fee to Chelsea for Romelu Lukaku deal. 🔵 #Inter
Chelsea and Inter already discussed about potential second season loan for next year, nothing completed yet but the intention is clear on both clubs and player side. pic.twitter.com/DXjzes9Ez5
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 28, 2022