Lukaku in Chelsea limbo after Roma revelation

Tom Weber

• Updated: 15 Mar 2024 12:26 GMT
• 4 min read

AS Roma likely won't be able to afford the entire financial package required to sign Romelu Lukaku permanently, according to a report.

The Chelsea outcast has had a mixed bag of a season on loan at Roma. After starting like a house on fire, the goals have somewhat dried up for Lukaku, with him only scoring four goals in Serie A since the beginning of December.

The Belgian's form in recent seasons has been a far cry from the one that prompted Chelsea to splash €113 million on him in 2021 and the Blues are more than ready to cut their losses. However, they are still keen to recoup a fair chunk of that transfer fee, though they acknowledge that Lukaku's value has tanked.

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According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea and Roma have a gentlemen's agreement that allows the latter to sign the 30-year-old for €40m in the summer. The problem? Roma don't really have the money for such a transaction.

Roma unable to pay asking price

At least that's according to The Telegraph's Matt Law, who claims that the Serie A giants will struggle to afford the entire financial package required to sign Lukaku permanently unless they somehow manage to sneak into the Champions League. Roma are currently fifth in Serie A and in the quarter-finals of the Europa League, so they still have two potential paths to Europe's premier competition.

“Now, I think Lukaku and Saudi is definitely worth watching," Law told the London is Blue podcast, "because unless Roma qualifies for [the] Champions League or there’s some big investment into Roma, I think Roma will really struggle with the fee on top of the wages."

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"So I think Chelsea are probably trying to get their ducks in order with Saudi options for Romelu in case Roma can’t, but they will really be trying to sell him permanently this summer.”

This comes after a report claimed that Chelsea owner Todd Boehly had discussed a potential move for Lukaku with Saudi Pro League director of football Michael Emenalo. If Roma were to cough up the €40m the Blues are asking for, the Belgian would become their third-most-expensive signing.