The end is near. Romelu Lukaku’s return to Inter seemed forced and uninspiring from the start – and it’s how it’ll end. Reports in Italy say Inter have already decided not to turn Lukaku’s loan into a permanent transfer. Then the season ends – Belgium international will return to Chelsea with his future in the dark.Inter’s owner Steven Zhang has already invested $20 million to bring Lukaku back for the season. The combined amount includes a payment to Chelsea and the player’s salary, and has offered very little value for that amount. The 29-year-old got just three goals in 18 league appearances since his arrival, with another four goals coming in Coppa Italia and the Champions League. It’s not enough.🚨🇧🇪| Inter Milan have decided not to keep Romelu Lukaku at the end of the season. [@Gazzetta_it] pic.twitter.com/VTQCfphSUV— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) April 17, 2023 It’s hard to find anyone connected with Inter with reasons to smile this season. The team is fifth in the table, with Champions League qualification disappearing in the distance. Head coach Simone Inzaghi had the task of improving on last season’s second place, but his team is playing a lot worse this year. The latest home defeat against Serie A debutants AC Monza was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Now everyone is questioning everyone else at the club – those who earn the most money are the first to be blamed.##NAJAVA_MECA_7187961##The injury sustained before the World Cup sadly defined Lukaku’s season. Although he’s returned to fitness, he doesn’t look like the player he was two years ago during Inter’s Scudetto-winning romp. But the problem is, the players around him don’t look themselves either. The son of Congolese parents is said to be disappointed with the coach’s treatment and has realised that there will be no future for him at the club – especially if the Nerazzuri fail to qualify for next season’s Champions League. In that case, the club’s turnover would be significantly reduced and keeping such expensive players would be unsustainable. Lukaku would be the first out the door.Wasteful Lukaku misses several clear-cut chances as Inter lose to Viola at homeLukaku’s sitters and Onana’s horrible late call leave inspired Inter with only a pointBlack, blue and batteredInter will probably go for one of the soon-to-be free agents to replace the misfiring Lukaku. French international Marcus Thuram of Borussia Monchengladbach, Roberto Firmino of Liverpool, or perhaps they would buy the newly-capped Argentinean-Italian attacker Mateo Retegui from Tigre. Lens’ goal-happy Belgian Lois Openda is another option. The 23-year-old has scored 15 goals in 31 appearances for Ligue 1’s third-placed team.To be fair, Lukaku isn’t the only Inter forward to struggle this season. Lautaro Martinez doesn’t look like himself, especially in terms of physical condition. Edin Dzeko hasn’t scored a Serie A goal since 4 January, while Joaquin Correa is booed as soon as he touches the ball at San Siro. Inter are looking for goals – and new people to score them.Inzaghi still hopes for a great ending to the season. It could offer new options for the guys who already seem like a bunch of people with their bags packed, knowing their time has passed.SERIE A – MATCHDAY 30FridayCremonese -Empoli 1-0 (1-0)/Dessers 4/Spezia – Lazio 0-3 (0-1)/Immobile 36, Anderson 52, Antonio 89/SaturdayBologna – Milan 1-1 (1-1)/Sansone 1 – Pobega 40/Napoli – Verona 0-0Inter – Monza 0-1 (0-0)/Caldirola 78/SundayLecce – Sampdoria 1-1 (1-0)/Ceesay 31 – Jese 75/Torino – Salernitana 1-1 (0-1)/Sanabria 57 – Vilhena 9/Sassuolo – Juventus 1-0 (0-0)/Defrel 64/AS Roma – Udinese 3-0 (1-0)/Bove 37, Pellegrini 55, Abraham 90+1/Monday21.45: (2.50) Fiorentina (3.35) Atalanta (2.90)***odds are subject to change
