Romelu Lukaku has had an underwhelming return to Inter since he rejoined the Nerazzurri in July and they could look to reinforce their attack with France international Marcus Thuram.
The 29-year-old scored 64 goals in 95 competitive matches from 2019 until 2021 and he was a key component when the Biscione won the 2020/21 Serie A title under coach Antonio Conte.
However, the Belgian striker has made only five competitive appearances for the Biscione so far in 2022/23 due to a thigh injury that has been affecting his campaign, and he was limited to just 53 minutes at the 2022 World Cup with Belgium due to those fitness issues.
According to Calciomercato, Inter still believe that Lukaku can make an impact once he regains full fitness, but the second half of the 2022/23 season might influence their decision to keep him at the club for longer, which could also lead to the Nerazzurri luring Thuram to Italy.
Inzaghi awaiting Lukaku return
Lukaku has not trained with Inter since early November due to a recurrence of his thigh injury and coach Simone Inzaghi is hoping to bring him back for the Biscione’s Serie A clash with league leaders Napoli on January 4.
Two weeks later, the Nerazzurri will also face city rivals AC Milan in the Supercoppa Italiana, further highlighting the need to take the scoring load of Argentinian star Lautaro Martinez.
Despite being 11 points behind Napoli in the Serie A table, Inter are confident that a fully fit Lukaku can replicate the form of his first stint in Milan and make an unlikely push for the title. This may prompt the Nerazzurri to renew his loan deal from Chelsea.
Inter could sign Thuram if Lukaku cannot regain scoring touch
If Lukaku keeps struggling with his fitness issues, Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio has been looking at Thuram to bolster the attack for the long term.
The 25-year-old is contracted to German club Borussia Monchengladbach until the end of June 2023, and both the Nerazzurri and AC Milan might look to sign the French forward after the World Cup.
Thuram has been in impressive form for Die Fohlen, scoring 10 goals in 15 Bundesliga matches so far this season, and with the likes of Edin Dzeko and Joaquin Correa struggling to score regularly for Inter, the France international could add another reference point in attack for Inzaghi.
