In advance of the summer transfer season, Chelsea allegedly set Romelu Lukaku’s asking price at €43 million (£36.81 million).
The belief behind the scenes at Stamford Bridge was that they had fixed their problems in the final third after a £97.5 million move from Inter Milan in 2021.
Instead, after scoring 15 goals in 44 games in his first season, Lukaku began seeking a transfer abroad due to a falling out with Thomas Tuchel.
But because of the enormity of the transfer money and the Belgium international’s salary, co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, who weren’t in charge when Lukaku was signed, have had difficulty getting a good bid.
Lukaku spent a season on loan at his previous team, Inter, and then another season on loan at Roma; both teams covered the cost of the loans in addition to Lukaku’s salary.
Individually, the 30-year-old has made an impact at Stadio Olimpico, making 26 appearances across all competitions and dishing up 15 goals and 2 assists.
However, given Roma’s recent managerial dismissal and their struggles to qualify for the Champions League next season, it is now anticipated that Giallorossi will take a different approach in the summer instead of permanently signing Lukaku.
Calciomercato claims that Chelsea has already determined the price needed to conclude Lukaku’s summer transfer.
According to the source, Chelsea has to spend €43 million in order to avoid incurring a deficit on their books—a risk they face due to their extravagant expenditures throughout the last three transfer windows.
It is said that Boehly and Clearlake have made this move at a time when Saudi Pro League teams are thinking about making a new move for Lukaku.
The league leaders, Al-Hilal, are said to be getting ready to pique Lukaku’s interest once again and make an offer of €30 million (£25.67 million) a season.
Al-Hilal’s star striker, Aleksandar Mitrovic, has scored 17 goals in as many league games, but it seems that competition is being sought as they want to win the division over the long run.
Lukaku’s Chelsea contract is set to end in 2026, and at this point in his career, it’s uncertain whether he would consider moving to the Middle East.
