Chelsea take DESPERATE Lukaku decision with Mourinho to benefit
Robin Bairner
- 25 Aug 2023 08:44 BST
- 4 min read
Chelsea continue to look at solutions as to how to get Romelu Lukaku off their books before the transfer deadline, with Mauricio Pochettino’s side now considering a temporary solution for the Belgium international.
Lukaku has been linked with several transfers this summer but each permanent deal has broken down one by one. As such, The Telegraph reports that Jose Mourinho's Roma are now in pole position to land the forward.
Chelsea were willing to sell the 30-year-old to the Saudi Pro League, but the player turned down the opportunity to move to the emerging league. He was more interested in staying with Europe, where he held talks with Inter that failed when the Nerazzurri learned he was also holding secret transfer discussions with Juventus.
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The Turin side have been keen on landing the burly forward but have been unable to agree terms on a deal with Chelsea as they need to offload Dusan Vlahovic before Lukaku can be signed. There is no indication that they will be able to do this before Deadline Day.
As such, the Premier League side are taking a new approach for a player who was not even on speaking terms with Pochettino just a couple of days ago.
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According to The Athletic, Chelsea are increasingly open to a loan move for Lukaku if no sale can be agreed.
It is stated that everyone – from Chelsea to Lukaku’s agents – are working with the idea that a permanent move is the ideal solution but a temporary deal is looking like an increased likelihood.
The Telegraph, meanwhile, reports that Mourinho's Roma are in line to benefit. Lukaku believes that Juventus have stalled on a deal for too long and has told the Blues and his representatives that he wants a move to the Italian capital.
Two loan possibilities for Lukaku
Any loan for Lukaku would still need to land Chelsea a significant windfall. According to the report, this could come in two forms. Either Lukaku could leave this summer with an obligation to buy, meaning Chelsea would effectively be selling the player now and getting the transfer fee for the player in 2024, or it could be a traditional loan with a meaningful fee.
Interest comes from Juventus, Roma and the Saudi Pro League, which has the advantage of a transfer window that stretches beyond the major European associations, but which Lukaku remains adamant he does not want a transfer to.
