Romelu Lukaku's Chelsea exit takes ANOTHER twist

Cameron Smith

28 Aug 2023 04:03 CDT
4 min read

Chelsea have accepted a €5 million loan offer for Romelu Lukaku from Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma, but it’s now up to the player to accept the move.

Article continues under the video

Lukaku, 30, has been on the fringes at Stamford Bridge since returning from his season-long loan at Inter Milan and has been expected to leave all summer.

His chances of sealing a permanent move to San Siro were ended when he began negotiating with Juventus on the side, while that proposed transfer fell through after protests from Old Lady fans.

Roma are now in the driving seat to sign the Chelsea forward, despite a late approach from Borussia Dortmund, and it’s now down to Lukaku whether or not he accepts Roma’s offer.

According to transfer journalist Rudy Galetti, Chelsea have agreed a €5m loan fee with Roma and it’s now Lukaku’s decision to join Roma or not.

Furthermore, the west London club would like the Belgian international to agree to a wage cut before heading back to Italy.

Galetti has reported that Chelsea want to agree to a wage decrease for the rest of his contract at the club (which runs until 2026), but would be happy to see his salary cut for the 2023-24 season at the very least.

Lukaku, who is Belgium’s all-time record goal-scorer with 75 strikes in just 108 international caps, has not yet responded to this request, but the next 24 hours are considered very important regarding his possible move to Roma.

© ProShots - Jose Mourinho wants to sign Romelu Lukaku on loan

Lukaku to Roma?

Mourinho’s side are currently without Tammy Abraham after the Englishman suffered an ACL injury at the end of last season.

Roma have instead relied upon forgotten man Andrea Belotti at the start of this campaign, with the 44-capped Italy international bagging a brace on the opening weekend to end a run of 15 months without a Serie A goal.

Lukaku scored 14 goals and provided seven assists in all competitions for Inter last season.