Chelsea demand hefty fee for ‘nervous’ Chelsea outcast who must take huge pay cut to leave
Romelu Lukaku in action for Inter Milan while on loan from Chelsea
Chelsea have reportedly informed Roma of the loan fee they expect if Romelu Lukaku is to join the Italian giants this summer.
The Belgium international will also be forced to take a significant pay cut if he wants to make his return to the Serie A, it has been revealed.
It’s clear that Lukaku isn’t in Mauricio Pochettino’s plans. Reports suggest that the striker hasn’t even spoken to his new manager yet and is currently training with the Chelsea under-21s.
Lukaku spent last season on loan with Inter Milan. He netted 14 goals in all competitions and played a key role in helping them reach the Champions League final.
Inter wanted to re-sign Lukaku but have been unable to agree a deal with Chelsea. Now, Roma are leading the race for his signature, with Jose Mourinho keen on a reunion with the former Man Utd star.
The Italian side will still have to pay a hefty sum to sign Lukaku on a season-long loan, though, who currently earns £325,000 per week at Chelsea – the club’s highest paid player.
READ MORE: Chelsea, Crystal Palace, West Ham in three-way battle for superb LaLiga star Arsenal almost signed
Chelsea demand £10m loan fee for Lukaku
According to the Telegraph (via the Daily Mail), Chelsea will demand a loan fee between £8m and £10m from Roma to loan Lukaku.
The report also claims that Chelsea will not pay a percentage of his wage, which means the Belgian will most likely have to take a pay cut to seal the deal.
Mourinho is desperate to add another quality striker to his squad before the transfer window closes. That is because Tammy Abraham is ruled out for at least six months with a serious knee injury.
Roma have already brought in Sardar Azmoun, but Lukaku is still at the top of their transfer shortlist.
In an interview before Azmoun’s arrival, Mourinho said: “Lukaku deal? The club told me that we will sign one more striker after Serdar Azmoun and that makes me happy.”
“It’s difficult for me to comment on Azmoun as he hasn’t signed yet, same on Lukaku who is a Chelsea player.”
Now, Lukaku has revealed that he wants to sign for Roma, but admitted he is ‘nervous’ about joining the Italian club.
“I am nervous, tomorrow I will fly to Rome to sign,'” Lukaku said on Saturday.
His impending departure is good news for Chelsea. It allows them to get Lukaku’s wages off the books. This comes after he refused to move to a Saudi club or Juventus, so his departure has never been guaranteed.
If Roma agree to the terms of the loan, though, Lukaku will be playing his football at the Stadio Olimpico this season.
