AS Roma and Chelsea have reportedly agreed on a loan deal for striker Romelu Lukaku.
After spending the 2022-23 season on loan at Inter Milan, the Belgian international returned to Stamford Bridge this summer.
Inter were ready to re-sign Lukaku. But they dropped out of a potential deal after learning he was in talks with rival Juventus.
While a transfer to Juventus finally fell through, Lukaku also turned down a move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.
Chelsea had planned to sell Lukaku this summer. However, the transfer window is closing and they have been forced to explore loan offers.
Roma recognized Lukaku as a possible target and dispatched club president Dan Friedkin and director Tiago Pinto to England to negotiate a transfer.
AS Roma to finalize the signing of Belgian Striker soon
According to The Telegraph, AS Roma and Chelsea have reached an agreement on a season-long loan deal.
Chelsea were hoping for an £8 million loan fee. However, they settled it for just over £5 million so they wouldn’t have to contribute to the player’s wage.
Lukaku has agreed to accept a pay reduction from his £320,000-per-week wage. As a result, he will earn roughly £6.4 million during his stay in Rome.
While Lukaku has agreed to accept a pay cut if he returns to Chelsea next summer, the Blues have agreed to include a £37 million release clause in his contract.
Lukaku is set to fly to Rome with Friedkin and Pinto on Tuesday. He will soon undergo a medical before being introduced as the club’s latest summer recruit.
After working together at Manchester United throughout the 2017-18 season, the striker will reunite with his former manager Jose Mourinho.
With Tammy Abraham out for an extended period owing to an anterior cruciate ligament injury, Mourinho has been determined to reinforce his forward line this summer.
Lukaku is expected to become the club’s second forward in as many days, following the loan signing of Sardar Azmoun from Bayer Leverkusen.
