Lukaku FINALLY set for Chelsea exit
Suraj Radia
- 27 Aug 2023 14:17 BST
- 3 min read
Chelsea are edging closer to finding a new home for Romelu Lukaku, with Roma closing in on an agreement to take him back to Italy on loan this season.
Lukaku has been training away from the Chelsea first team as he explored an exit from the club this summer but he has been unable to secure a move so far.
The 30-year-old spent last season on loan at Inter and the Serie A side were initially expected to extend his stay at the club, however Lukaku’s decision to enter negotiations with rivals Juventus prompted a hostile reaction and ended their interest in him.
TRAITOR!: Lukaku accused of 'betrayal' by Inter legend
Talks with Juventus also broke down as a move was only feasible if Dusan Vlahovic left the club, meaning Lukaku was left in limbo going into the new season.
The impasse left Chelsea with no choice but to amend their stance to loan out the Belgian, having previously insisted any deal would require a clause to make the move permanent.
However, Lukaku is set to reunite with Jose Mourinho at Roma, with talks underway over a deal which will see the Italians offer a loan fee in excess of €5 million, although the striker will have to agree to a pay cut to seal the move.
Lukaku set to take wage cut after interest fizzles out
Lukaku is thought to be earning more than €17m a year at Chelsea and the Blues are reluctant to subsidise his wages, meaning the player will have to accept lower terms, with Roma unable to finance a move otherwise.
Roma are confident they can convince Lukaku to agree to earn a wage of around €7m plus bonuses during his time at Inter, with no other clubs seemingly willing to take a chance on the ex-Manchester United star.
Lukaku had rejected interest from Saudi Arabia earlier in the window, while Chelsea had initially wanted a fee of more than €40m to get the player permanently off their books.
U-TURN: Pochettino open to Lukaku return
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino also attempted to see whether Lukaku would be open to returning to the first team but a move to Roma appears to be the best and most likely outcome for all parties.
