Romelu Lukaku’s agent assures the striker ‘has Inter in his heart, but a professional has to evaluate other aspects beyond the sentimental’ after he went to Chelsea.

The Belgium international was criticised by Nerazzurri supporters for assuring he was ‘already home’ at San Siro just weeks before demanding a transfer to Stamford Bridge.

“He has Inter in his heart,” assured agent Federico Pastorello on Calciomercato.com.

“People can say what they want, but this is a fact. A professional then has to evaluate other aspects beyond the sentimental, what is best for his career.

“He is happy in London, concentrated on the new project, but still follows Inter and their games with great affection.”

Pastorello was also asked about reports the negotiations with Chelsea started even before the UEFA EURO 2020 tournament.

“There was a lot of chatter. The transfer itself was pretty rapid, when they decided to go for it, they went in hard. It didn’t last particularly long.”

Chelsea eventually completed the transfer for €115m, a record sale figure for a Serie A club, and the murals of him to celebrate the Scudetto victory were defaced.

The 28-year-old centre-forward has already found the net four times in nine competitive games for Chelsea this season.

He picked up 64 goals and 16 assists in his total 95 appearances in the Inter jersey.

This move represented a return to Stamford Bridge for Lukaku, who had already been on their books from 2011 to 2014, although most of that was spent on loan at West Bromwich Albion and Everton.