Romelu Lukaku to join Roma on loan as permanent deals fail

• Romelu Lukaku is set to leave Chelsea on loan after permanent deals failed to happen
• The Belgium striker is prepared to take a wage cut to facilitate a transfer to Roma on a loan deal
• The striker rejected permanent transfer offers from Saudi Arabia clubs

Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku has agreed to a significant wage cut to secure a loan transfer to Roma. Chelsea, having been unable to find a permanent buyer for Lukaku, who had turned down multiple offers from Saudi Arabia during the summer, has reluctantly decided to allow him to go on loan once again.

Roma quickly emerged as the most likely destination for Lukaku. However, complications arose due to his high wages and Chelsea’s reluctance to contribute to his earnings while he was away from the club. In an effort to facilitate the move, Lukaku has consented to reduce his salary by nearly a third and has reached an agreement with Roma for a temporary contract at the Stadio Olimpico.

Nevertheless, Chelsea is still seeking a substantial loan fee and has yet to come to terms with Roma on this matter. Chelsea is requesting £9 million for Lukaku, but Roma, who have limited financial flexibility due to Financial Fair Play regulations, has so far offered only about half of that amount.

Chelsea forward Romelu Lukaku spent last season on loan at Inter Milan and is set to return to Serie A this season with AS Roma on a season-long loan deal. | PHOTO: Mirror |

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Both clubs are optimistic about reaching an agreement, and there is confidence that a deal will be finalized before the transfer window closes on Thursday. The outcome of Lukaku’s imminent move to Roma will have a significant impact on Chelsea’s remaining loan deals, as the 30-year-old will occupy one of only two available overseas loan spots for the remainder of the season.

Initially, Chelsea had hoped to sell Lukaku permanently. However, they have already used five of their seven available spots for loans on other players: David Datro Fofana, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Hakim Ziyech, Gabriel Slonina, and Angelo. Lukaku is set to become the sixth senior overseas loan, prompting Chelsea to reconsider their plans for the other players intended for temporary moves.

Midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu had been expected to join Angelo at Ligue 1’s Strasbourg, and £17 million signing Deivid Washington was also likely to make that move. However, there will not be room for both players if Lukaku’s transfer to Roma is finalized.

Chelsea had also intended to keep a few spots open for emergencies as the transfer window approached its conclusion. Centre-back Malang Sarr, for example, may require a temporary move after failing to attract any permanent interest.