Chelsea outcast close to joining AS Roma on loan

Chelsea and AS Roma are close to agreeing a loan deal for striker Romelu Lukaku

As per a tweet from Sky Sports Italy correspondent Angelo Mangiante, Romelu Lukaku is closing in on a loan move to AS Roma from Chelsea. Roma officials are flying to London to make this official.

It is revealed that a good relationship between both clubs has led this deal to happen smoothly. The Belgian international will move to the Serie A on a flat loan move with a reduced salary of €8m.

Roma boss Jose Mourinho, who knows Lukaku from their time together at Manchester United and previously at Chelsea, has already spoken with the 30-year-old regarding this transfer.

#Lukaku sempre più vicino alla #Roma. Ryan Friedkin e Pinto in volo a Londra.
I buoni rapporti tra le due proprietà hanno aperto al prestito secco e ingaggio ridotto a €8M.
Anche Mourinho, che lo ha allenato al Chelsea e Man United, ha già parlato con l'attaccante. @SkySport pic.twitter.com/LR3qk1CIX8

— Angelo Mangiante (@angelomangiante) August 25, 2023

Well, it’s been some summer for Lukaku. After a reasonable loan spell at Inter Milan last season, he was offered a chance to go back there. But, for some reason, he started speaking to Juventus to discuss a move. That irritated Inter and they pulled out from signing the striker. As it stands, he has eventually rejected a move to the Old Lady. Yep, everyone’s head needs wobbling after reading/knowing that!

Throughout the summer, the Belgian didn’t train with the first-team squad under Mauricio Pochettino. It was clear a long time ago that he is not in Chelsea’s plans anymore.

It is a bit of a relief that the 30-year-old is close to moving away from Stamford Bridge. There was no point in having him unless Pochettino had any plans for him once the transfer window ended.

Having a player on big wages who is not even training with the senior squad spelt disaster from start to finish. Such was Chelsea’s desperation that they were ready to convince him to accept an offer from Saudi if no European club showed interest.

More Chelsea News

• Chelsea are still looking to boost their squad before September 1 deadline
• Chelsea are currently looking at other options rather than signing Brennan Johnson from Nottingham Forest
• Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino believes the process is good enough to garner success in the future

Good to know that he has a manager in Mourinho who still believes in him. Good luck Jose!