Chelsea has decided to reject any loan proposals for Romelu Lukaku this summer, aiming to secure a permanent transfer for the Belgian striker. The club hopes to recover some of the £97.5 million they paid Inter Milan for Lukaku in 2021, with an asking price set around £37 million.
This move is part of Chelsea’s efforts to remove Lukaku’s £325,000-a-week wages from their payroll.
Roma, where Lukaku spent last season on loan, is interested in re-signing him but cannot meet Chelsea’s asking price. Other Italian clubs like AC Milan and Napoli, now managed by Lukaku’s former boss Antonio Conte, have shown interest as well.
However, their limited finances may compel them to wait and see if Chelsea relaxes their stance as the transfer window progresses.
There was speculation about a potential swap deal with Napoli involving striker Victor Osimhen, but Chelsea has expressed no interest in the Nigerian, who is valued at over £100 million. Last summer, Chelsea accepted a bid for Lukaku from Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal, but Lukaku declined the move.
