Romano drops update on €100m Chelsea star who wants OUT

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 9 Mar 2024 08:47 GMT
• 4 min read

Fabrizio Romano has discussed the latest on Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku, who has spent the season on loan at Roma.

Chelsea spent last summer trying to shift Lukaku on a permanent transfer before ultimately having to settle for another loan deal.

The Belgian had disappointed at Stamford Bridge after signing for €113 million in the summer of 2021, making one of the Blues’ most expensive signings in history. An explosive interview midway through the season made it clear that he was not happy at the club and wanted out.

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He subsequently rediscovered his form at Inter and is now at Roma, where he has 18 goals in 35 appearances this season.

What happens next for the 30-year-old is unclear, and Romano has underlined the uncertainty of the former Everton and Manchester United striker’s future.

CalcioMercato reports that Chelsea could accept a bid less than Roma's €40 million offer to buy the No.9, who has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €34m.

Romano has revealed the truth behind the rumours, though.

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“It’s too early to speculate what will happen with Romelu Lukaku this summer,” he said on the Daily Briefing.

“We still don't know Chelsea’s plans, whether AS Roma can afford him with their Financial Fair Play strategy based on Champions League football or not...

“Lukaku can only wait now and focus on helping Roma do special things in Italy and in Europe.

“That's why he wanted to stay silent in TV interviews after the Europa League win over Brighton.”

Lukaku will leave Chelsea

Although Romano will not commit to predicting the future, the likelihood is that Chelsea will again try to strike a deal for Lukaku to leave the club.

The Blues are known to be pursuing a new No.9, with Napoli forward Victor Osimhen a clear frontrunner to join the London club in the summer for a fee even greater than the one that took ‘Big Rom’ to Stamford Bridge.

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Chelsea’s difficulty will be finding a club that can both satisfy their transfer fee demand as well as the player’s ambition to remain at the top level.

Lukaku turned down a move to the Saudi Pro League last summer, yet the emerging division could offer him the most realistic escape route on a permanent basis.