Chelsea let Inter keep Crespo

FC Internazionale Milano have reached agreement with Chelsea FC to retain Hernán Crespo's services for the 2007/08 campaign.

Fine record
The 31-year-old Argentina striker spent the season on loan with the Nerazzurri, helping them secure the Serie A title with 14 goals in 29 games. He also scored once in six UEFA Champions League appearances, as well as four in the Coppa Italia, before Roberto Mancini's men were eliminated in the first knockout round. Crespo said: "I am delighted. Staying at Inter is what I wanted. I would like to thank Chelsea first of all for their help, and Inter for confirming their faith in me."

Italian switch
Crespo had joined Chelsea from Inter for €24.25m in 2003 but he was unable to settle in London despite registering ten goals in 19 Premier League matches. He spent the following term on loan at AC Milan before returning to Chelsea for the 2005/06 campaign as his side reclaimed the English crown. However, the forward was keen to move back to Italy, where he had also played for Parma FC and S.S. Lazio, and signed for Inter last summer.