Maresca's Chelsea to be UNLEASHED on transfer market as star makes Saudi U-turn

Robin Bairner

• 6 Jun 2024 10:43 BST
• 3 min read

Romelu Lukaku could hold the key to Chelsea’s summer transfer plans and appears to have changed his stance on a move to the Saudi Pro League, which could unleash another window of big spending at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea and new manager Enzo Maresca have some ambitious plans for the summer but have to sell before they buy in order to comply with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules.

Lukaku, who is presently on loan to Roma, is one of those players who the Blues want to offload. The BBC indicates that they will not accept a loan deal and will only seek to make a permanent move.

EXCLUSIVE: Chelsea reject Osimhen and turn attention to Dovbyk

STATS

Romelu Lukaku

F (CRL)

Roma

Romelu Lukaku

F (CRL)

Roma

All Tournaments

2023/24

• 47

  Games

• 21

  Goals

• 4

  Assists

View all stats

Options in Europe are limited, with Napoli only proposing a swap deal for Victor Osimhen, so a move to Saudi Arabia would be ideal for the Stamford Bridge club.

The Belgium international had been linked with a big-money transfer to the Pro League last summer but decided against making that move as he wanted to spend another year in Europe.

However, in an interview in the Belgian press, the striker appears to have shifted his opinion.

READ MORE: Enzo Maresca plans to sell FOUR Chelsea stars for €170m

What did Lukaku say about the Saudi Pro League?

Speaking to HLN, he said: “Saudi Arabia wouldn't stop me. The level will only rise there. To a much higher level than many people think.

“More and more footballers will tend to play there. The infrastructure needs to be even better, but all the major European top clubs know: 'Saudi Arabia is coming'.”

This is a perfect solution for Chelsea because the Pro League is likely to be willing to pay a transfer fee for Lukaku that European clubs simply would not.

Indeed, the Blues will be looking at the case of Casemiro at Manchester United. The Red Devils are seeking to offload the Brazil veteran, but with few buyers in Europe, Saudi Arabia promises to offer them an opportunity.

There have been reports that Al-Nassr might even pay up to €100 million for the former Real Madrid man, allowing Man Utd to make a profit on a player they signed two years ago and whose form has degraded in recent months.

Chelsea will be hoping for a similar outcome with Lukaku, who they signed from Inter in 2021 for €113m, as this would allow Maresca the freedom to start making moves for his targets.