Chelsea has granted Romelu Lukaku permission to depart on loan, marking his return to Serie A with Roma. The Belgian striker, who was acquired by Chelsea for £97.5 million in 2021 from Inter, had a successful loan stint with Inter Milan last season. In a deal encompassing a fee ranging from £7 million to £8 million based on performance-related criteria, Lukaku’s move to Roma is structured as a straightforward loan.
Notably, Lukaku’s contract features a release clause estimated at around £38 million. He now reunites with former Chelsea head coach Jose Mourinho at Roma, who led the team to the Europa League final last season.
The agreement between Chelsea and Roma includes Lukaku accepting a reduced salary for the remaining three years of his Chelsea contract. This decision reflects his enthusiasm for the move to Rome and the opportunity to work with Mourinho again.
Lukaku’s transfer discussions involved other clubs as well, including Juventus and Inter, both keen on acquiring the prolific striker. Saudi side Al Hilal also expressed interest in signing Lukaku. However, the player’s preference for Italy and the chance to collaborate with Mourinho once more ultimately led him to Roma.
Lukaku’s move to Roma on loan follows a period during which he fell out of favor at Chelsea, partly due to a contentious interview in which he expressed dissatisfaction under former head coach Thomas Tuchel. The forward’s return to Italy aligns with his desire for a fresh start and a renewed partnership with Mourinho.
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