LUKAKU HOPES TO PERSUADE CHELSEA TO EXTEND HIS CONTRACT WITH INTER.

Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku hopes to put his injuries and Belgium’s early exit from the World Cup behind him and return to form for the Italian club in order to consider a permanent move from Chelsea.

Lukaku missed a large number of games in the first part of the season owing to hamstring and thigh ailments, which hampered his comeback to the national team as Belgium was eliminated in the group stage of the World Cup.

The 29-year-old is on loan from Chelsea, and a permanent return to Inter may be tough as the Premier League team seeks to collect the 97.5 million pounds ($117.50 million) paid to the Serie A club in August 2021.

“Everyone understands what I want. “Right now, I have to do all in my power to help Inter win, and then we can talk to Chelsea,” Lukaku told Sky Sport Italy.

“The aim is to conclude (my career) with (boyhood club) Anderlecht. My son started school here and plays in the Inter academy, and I’m (almost) 30 years old. I’m OK; Inter is always looking to expand.

“I want to stay here and do things properly. I’m hoping to do well at Inter over the next six months, work hard, and then talk to Chelsea to find a solution.”

Lukaku stated that the long-term injury was the first time in his career that he had missed so many games, and that his residence resembled a hospital as he worked to recuperate in time for the World Cup.

Their campaign in Qatar finished with the striker being consoled by Belgium’s assistant coach Thierry Henry, and Lukaku stated that the former France international was the “perfect” choice to replace Roberto Martinez.

“For me Henry is the next coach of Belgium. “I have no qualms, and I say it openly: he will be the next coach,” Lukaku stated.

“He has the respect of all the players, he has won everything. He understands how to coach and what we need to do to get there.

“He wants to win, and I don’t believe the federation will hire a coach who wants to alter everything and start over.”