Transfer ‘confirmed’, Mourinho hint, Roma talks
Chelsea transfer news: The latest on Romelu Lukaku’s exit from Stamford Bridge after Inter make the first move for a permanent move and Juventus queue up with Al-Hilal.
(Image: Toms Kalnins/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku is finally set to leave Stamford Bridge in the summer transfer window. The Blues have reluctantly accepted they will have to loan Lukaku out for the 2023/24 campaign after failing to agree a permanent transfer for the Belgium international, Sam Hill and Luke Thrower reports for Football London.
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Roma boss Jose Mourinho has offered his old club a lifeline and wants to sign a new striker before deadline day – with Lukaku set to sign for the Italian outfit. Mauricio Pochettino has revealed that the situation with the Belgium international has not changed since he arrived at the club – with Lukaku keen on leaving the club.
Here, football.london has the latest on his exit.
£40m blow
Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku is set to cost owner Todd Boehly £40million after telling Jose Mourinho he wants to reunite with him at AS Roma this summer. Roma are only willing to sanction a loan deal, which could impact Todd Boehly’s plans to bring in a sizeable fee.
The American billionaire has already raked in £230m in player sales as well as removing a huge chunk from the wage budget. Lukaku’s £325,000-a-week wages would go some way to bringing it down even more, with Roma willing to cover the entirety of his wages.
Saudi Pro League clubs are interested in offering the Belgium international an eye-watering contract as well as paying the £40million fee, but Lukaku is not keen on a move.
Al-Hilal submitted a £40million bid for his services but the Belgium international has his sights set on returning to Italy. Boehly is hoping to include an obligation-to-buy clause in the deal during his negotiations, with Lukaku still having three years left on his contract, according to The Express.
Silence broken
Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku appears to have confirmed his loan move to AS Roma by breaking his silence over his future in an interview with Belgian media. Speaking to Het Laatste Nieuws on his son’s match in a youth tournament, he said: “I’m nervous [about his son’s debut], I’m going to Rome tomorrow to sign.”
Mourinho hint
Jose Mourinho
Mourinho brushed over the discussion on the striker when asked about transfers in his pre-match press conference on Friday. When asked about deals ahead, the Roma head coach said: “Not even [Sadar] Azmoun is one of our players yet, I also find it hard to talk about him. He is in Rome, I don’t know if he has finished his visits or if he has signed.
“I don’t see him as a Roma player, let alone [Romelu] Lukaku, who is a Chelsea player. In order not to get away from the question, I can say that there are clubs where players are chosen and those who arrive are first choices. Even in Italy, but above all in England, where you are free to define the player profile you want.
“We are in a different situation and what was proposed to me by the manager was Azmoun. He not as my striker, but as one of my strikers. If his condition is good he can help us. When the manager proposed to me he told me that another one will come and so he makes me happy. If this other is a quality striker we will have good options in attack. I’m calm and I’m waiting.”
Roma talks
The Telegraph reports that Roma are in talks with Chelsea over signing Lukaku on loan. The Belgian striker could reunite with Mourinho, the manager who signed him for Manchester United several years ago.
Roma chiefs have travelled to London to hold talks directly with Todd Boehly and Co.
Transfer decision
Chelsea have decided they are open to letting Romelu Lukaku leave on loan in the final days of the transfer window, reports the Athletic. The Blues have been trying hard to broker a permanent exit for the Belgian international, but that is proving tough, with a temporary exit sanctioned with a meaningful fee.
Pochettino claim
Ahead of Chelsea’s clash with Luton Town in the Premier League, Mauricio Pochettino was quizzed over the situation involving Lukaku this summer. He responded: “No [conversation], the situation did not change. We will see what happens in the future but at the moment the situation did not change….I’ll explain again, if the player and clubs wish is to find a solution, it’s not me, it’s them.
“In that case, the player and the club will meet and inform to me that things changed. I’m not going to move until the club or the player want to talk with me. I am here, I accept the situation that was here when I arrived.
“Club and the player, both try to find a solution. The future can change things. Life can change. I saw Klopp say I’m not going to be in this business when we should pay £100million, and then they offered £100million and he said ‘Oh, I made a mistake’. That is the same situation. In football, the dynamic is fast and changes and we need to move on. Today, nothing has changed. If something changes we will adapt to the situation?”
Possible U-turn
According to a report from Di Marzio, Mauricio Pochettino is claimed to be open to speak with Romelu Lukaku this summer about a possible return to the first-team. It would be a huge switch from the stance where there has been no discussions over a stay as well as training sessions with the youth setup.
Drastic measures
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino is taking drastic measures to ensure that Romelu Lukaku will leave the club in the coming days of the summer transfer window. According to a report from the Telegraph, Lukaku has been sent to train with the under-21s squad over the first-team, while a move is being discussed.
Pochettino is believed to have not spoken with the striker at all since he made it clear that he desires to leave the club in the summer transfer window.
Juventus bid
According to Football Italia, Inter have ended negotiations with Chelsea after Lukaku and his lawyer Sebastien Ledure failed to answer calls from directors. Inter were prepared to offer £30million plus add-ons, after Juventus offered £32million plus £2million earlier in the week.
Lukaku agent claim
Roc Nation president Michael Yormark has dismissed suggestions that the agency are set to drop Romelu Lukaku.
Reports in Italy had suggested that Roc Nation were angry that Chelsea striker Lukaku turned down a permanent move to Inter Milan – where he was on loan last season – as he would prefer to join Juventus. However, Yormark posted an Instagram story which read: ‘Fake news and irresponsible reporting must stop. Focus on facts and the truth.’
Al-Hilal outbid Juventus for Lukaku
Al-Hilal have reportedly outbid Juventus for Romelu Lukaku despite the Chelsea forward wanting to remain in Europe. As per Gazzetta, Al-Hilal’s bid is worth more than €50million (£43m), but Lukaku doesn’t want to join them.
The Bianconeri are ready to offer €40million (£34m) for the 30-year-old, but they must sell Dusan Vlahovic before making a formal bid for the Blues. Vlahovic has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge as Pochettino looks to sign a new striker ahead of next season – but his wage demands could prove to be a key problem.
Sky Sports claim Chelsea have one more ‘serious’ offer for Lukaku, coming from Saudi club Al-Hilal. However, the Belgium international is unwilling to leave Europe, so he’s not expected to accept their offer.
Inter end interest
The Nerazzurri saw two bids rejected for the striker and have since been claimed to be out of the race due to reports claiming Lukaku opened up the possibility of a switch to rivals Juventus – who could sell Chelsea target Dusan Vlahovic this summer.
The Telegraph also claim that the striker was unhappy with not starting the Champions League final against Manchester City, which may play a part in his decision to look elsewhere.
Inter boss delivers Lukaku verdict
Chelsea are hoping to sell Romelu Lukaku in the summer transfer window with the Belgian striker pushing to return to Inter Milan. The 30-year-old spent last season on loan at Inter and helped them reach the UEFA Champions League final.
“Lukaku is Chelsea player now,” Inzaghi said. “We all know how crucial he has been for us.
“I did my best to bring him back last summer. We’d like to re-sign Romelu also this summer and we’ll do our best to make it happen.”
Andre Onana impact
Chelsea losing out on Andre Onana to Manchester United could actually prove to be a huge transfer boost for Mauricio Pochettino.
According to The Times, Inter will step up their pursuit of Romelu Lukaku once Andre Onana’s transfer to Man United has been finalized, with Chelsea holding out for £40million.
Training decision
Romelu Lukaku had decided that he will not report for pre-season training at Cobham on Wednesday, according to The Telegraph.
With knowledge of his decision, Chelsea have now moved his return date to Monday, July 17 in the hope the transfer saga involving Inter will have been resolved.
Inter second bid
The Telegraph write that, contrary to reports in Italy, Lukaku is instead ensuring a move to Inter is possible and will accept a pay cut of as much as £1million-a-year in order to secure a transfer.
It is also said that a new bid from the Nerazzurri is imminent following their low-ball offer of around £26million made first up. They had attempted to create a bidding war between Inter, Al-Hilal and Juventus but the player has no interest in joining the latter and isn’t yet ready to accept an offer from Saudi Arabia.
Juventus ‘agreed’
Reports in Italy suggest that Lukaku has already agreed to join Juventus this summer and is open to a move to the Old Lady after it was revealed that talks are ongoing.
Chelsea are also said to be interested in Dusan Vlahovic and the prospect of a swap deal has been raised with both sides looking to reduce any potential price being paid as they seek to secure a positive deal.
Inter bid rejected
Chelsea have rejected an offer from Inter of around £25.6million, according to the Athletic. With no loan deal being discussed, it was sent back out of hand with no consideration for offers of under £38million.
It had been thought that Inter would take Lukaku back on a second season loan for around £8million following his deal last summer but fitness and financial issues have put an end to that.
Juventus talks
Juventus are one of the sides still interested in signing Lukaku this summer with Chelsea demanding £40million for the player, according to the Guardian.
The Blues have no wish to let him leave on loan again following their deal with Inter last term and Lukaku himself is set on a return to San Siro.
Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal are also in the mix with offers from the Middle East thought to have initially been rejected by Lukaku but he has since opened up to the idea.