Mauricio Pochettino continues to overhaul Chelsea squad this summer, with Romelu Lukaku among the players set for an exit.
Chelsea has been active in the transfer market. Signing eight players for a total of over £350 million. Including Moises Caicedo from Brighton & Hove Albion. Breaking the British transfer record. They have also offloaded 15 players for more than £200 million.
Despite these changes, the squad remains large, with 30 first-team players still under contract, all vying for playing time. While Pochettino is still evaluating his preferred starting XI. He has already made decisions about certain players he wants to move on from.
One of these players is Romelu Lukaku, who has not been a squad number for the 2023/24 season and reportedly has not spoken with the new manager since his arrival. Instead, Lukaku has been training with the U21 squad.
Lukaku expressed his desire to leave Chelsea earlier in the transfer window. With a return to Inter Milan as his preferred destination. However, Inter’s attempts to sign him have faltered. And Juventus fans protested against their club’s potential acquisition of the Belgian striker.
Chelsea and their possibilities
Despite these setbacks, Lukaku could still make a move to Serie A, as former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho and Roma have expressed interest in him. Italian publication La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Roma CEO Lina Souloukou and Chelsea directors held talks earlier this week regarding a potential deal for Lukaku.
Chelsea is reportedly seeking £35 million for the 30-year-old striker. Making a permanent transfer challenging to complete. A loan move has been suggested as an alternative, but Sky Sports Italia suggests that this option will only materialize if Roma fails to secure their preferred choice, Duvan Zapata from Atalanta.
Lukaku has previously played under Mourinho during the 2013/14 season at Chelsea and for 18 months at Manchester United before Mourinho’s dismissal. During his first stint under Mourinho at Chelsea. Lukaku made only two appearances before being loaned to Everton and eventually sold for £28 million.
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