Chelsea reach ‘extraordinary’ agreement with Serie A side to loan 30-year-old player

Chelsea agree a loan deal with AS Roma for striker Romelu Lukaku

As per an exclusive by Matt Law for The Telegraph (subscription required), Chelsea have struck an ‘extraordinary’ agreement with AS Roma to send striker Romelu Lukaku on loan to Italy.

After a few days of negotiations, which started on Friday before Chelsea’s game against Luton Town, contract details were finalised on Monday evening.

The Belgian international has decided to take a cut on his wages to make this possible. The Blues will receive a loan fee of £5m from Roma as part of the deal.

Moreover, Lukaku has agreed to take a pay cut at Chelsea when he returns from his loan spell in Rome. There is a sense that this is his last chance to shine in the European circuit. If it does not go well, a move for Saudi Arabia has to happen.

The latter was on the table this time around as well, but the 30-year-old did not fancy it. The striker initially was wanted by Inter Milan before he botched that relationship/deal up by speaking to Juventus and eventually not moving there as well.

From Chelsea’s viewpoint, they must be relieved to let go of a player who was on high wages. Now, regardless of what happens this season, he would either earn less next season or go to the Middle East.

Moving on from that, while it is all good loaning a striker who was not fancied here, the Blues must sign an attacker before the window closes. Daily Mail has revealed that they are linked with the likes of Ferran Torres, Raphinha and Emile Smith Rowe. It is understood that Mauricio Pochettino wants to sign an attacker who is Premier League-ready.

More Chelsea News

• Chelsea tell Romelu Lukaku to lower his salary demands with AS Roma transfer on the cards
• Mauricio Pochettino causes Chelsea frenzy after failing to recognise Malang Sarr
• Manchester United are considering a loan bid for Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella

Let’s see what transpires in the coming days. There isn’t much time for us to react considering the window closes on 1 September.