Former Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia would have blocked the departure of Romelu Lukaku in the summer, according to reports. The 29-year-old striker was heavily linked with a permanent move away from Stamford Bridge after falling out of favour under former Blues boss Thomas Tuchel.
Lukaku struggled to acclimatise to the Premier League upon his return, and time under the German soon ran out, which saw him relegated to the sidelines. Due to Inter Milan's spending restrictions, the Italian giants were not willing to meet the west Londoners' asking price in order to sign the Belgium international outright.
Instead, the Nerazzurri opted for a season-long loan, and Chelsea negotiated a fee to be paid for his services. However, according to Italian football expert Gianluca Di Marzio, Granovskaia would have blocked the Belgian's exit.
READ MORE: Jamie Carragher sends warning to Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham over new Super League idea
As quoted by SOS Fanta, a partner site to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Di Marzio said: "I don't think Marina Granovskaia would have allowed his return to Inter. She would have kept him at Chelsea walking around Stamford Bridge, rather, or at Cobham.
"She would not have loaned him out to Inter. Probably, the situation the club was going through favoured this market deal."
According to Calcio Mercato, Chelsea do not want to take Lukaku back - a player deemed to likely not fit the profile of who Potter prefers. However, the report states that the striker doesn't want to return to Cobham training ground upon the end of his loan at Inter anyway.
And Di Marzio doesn't expect the Belgian to return either. Detailing Lukaku's future, he said: "I don't think Lukaku will return to Chelsea.
"How could he play again in a Chelsea shirt? He has done everything to return to Inter. I think Chelsea and Inter will find the best solution, maybe another loan, because in this deal, Inter paid €8m for the loan and would pay another €10m for a new loan next year. The price would then go lower and lower if Inter decide to buy him back."
READ NEXT
Raheem Sterling makes Pierre-Emerick Aubamayeng and Kai Havertz Chelsea demand after draw
Graham Potter given fresh Chelsea headache as he faces Thiago Silva conundrum
Chelsea's seven new signings issued brutal Graham Potter message after Thomas Tuchel sacking
Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from Stamford Bridge
Arsenal vs Tottenham and Palace vs Chelsea fixtures could be postponed as rail strikes announced
