Hernan Crespo is hoping to stay on loan at recently-crowned Serie A champions Inter Milan rather than return to Chelsea to serve the final year of his contract with the English Premiership club.

The 31-year-old Argentine striker, who won the league title with Chelsea in the 2005-06 season, joined Inter on a two-season loan last summer but Chelsea have the option to call him back at the end of this month if they so wish.

"If by May 31 they don't exercise their right to bring me back to London, the loan will be automatically extended for another year," Crespo was quoted as saying in Friday's Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I would like to finish my career here. I know that Chelsea would like me back, but I hope I don't have to leave Milan."

Crespo is in his second spell with Inter having also played for the club in the 2002-03 season.

The Argentina international has also played for Serie A sides Parma, Lazio and AC Milan.