Chelsea agree loan deal with AS Roma for Romelu Lukaku

Chelsea and AS Roma have agreed a deal for Romelu Lukaku to join the Serie A side on loan for the season, according to The Telegraph. 

The Giallorossi will pay over £5 million to take the Belgian striker. He will take a pay cut to allow the move to go through and Roma will cover all of it.

Lukaku’s transfer saga this summer has been one for the history books.

While many expected him to join Inter Milan permanently after his loan move to the Nerazzurri and his public declaration of his love for the club, he decided against joining the club, to the dismay of the footballing community. 

Saudi Pro League clubs were interested in signing him, but he refused a move to the Middle East despite the allure of a mammoth contract.

Lukaku had started talking to Inter Milan’s rivals Juventus about a move to the Bianconeri to the disapproval of fans of the Turin club, who held banners signalling their displeasure with the centre-forward. 

However, he got tired of waiting for them to agree a deal with Chelsea and decided to join Jose Mourinho in Rome. The pair have worked together at Chelsea and Manchester United.

Lukaku has taken a massive pay cut to ensure the move to Rome. He will earn just over £6 million in Italy, and interestingly, he has agreed to lower his Chelsea salary when he returns from the season-long loan.

Mourinho will finally have the three top striking options he has been demanding from the board since the beginning of the window.

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The Portuguese manager went public with his demands for a centre-forward and criticised the board for failing to make signings early enough.

He was especially vocal after the long-term injury to Tammy Abraham and after they missed out on several targets.

They have now handed him Sardar Azmoun and Lukaku to join Andrea Belotti for the season ahead. 

As for Chelsea, Lukaku’s behaviour meant they could only accept a loan deal, but they will be happy to have shipped the striker, his attitude, and his wages off their books.