AS Roma have surprised everyone on the final day of transfer deadline, agreeing a stunning season-long loan deal worth PS8 Million with Chelsea for Romelu Lukaku to end his prolonged standoff between his club and Italy’s Serie A – offering Lukaku an opportunity for fresh starts in both leagues.
Roma’s ambitious move includes no obligatory clause to make Lukaku’s transfer permanent, but they have committed to covering the Belgian’s salary, which amounts to a substantial €7.5 million over the next ten months. The club’s billionaire owner, Dan Friedkin, is personally overseeing this deal, piloting a private flight from London to the eternal city of Rome on Tuesday, with Lukaku set to touch down at approximately 4 pm BST.
Romelu Lukaku’s presence has cast a long shadow over Mauricio Pochettino’s initial days at Chelsea as manager. Signing for PS 97.5 million in 2021, Lukaku struggled to make an impressionable mark before being loaned out to Internazionale last season.
Pochettino signaled last week his willingness to bring Lukaku back into Chelsea if no satisfactory agreement could be made before Friday’s closing of the transfer window, yet on Monday night this dramatic impasse was successfully avoided as ink dried on an agreement between Chelsea and Rome that saw Lukaku, 30, begin his new journey under Jose Mourinho (his former Chelsea manager) as manager in Rome.
Roma’s coup in securing Lukaku’s services on loan signifies a major boost to their attacking firepower. Striker Gonzalo Higuain has an outstanding track record when it comes to scoring goals, so his arrival would certainly change the face of Roma. Such a move would keep fans of both Chelsea and Roma on edge throughout this coming season.
Although this loan agreement does not guarantee Romelu Lukaku’s long-term future, it allows him to rebuild his reputation in one of Europe’s toughest leagues – something Chelsea also benefits from while managing their wage bill more efficiently. Romelu Lukaku now faces an exciting new chapter of his illustrious career in Italy’s capital as they look for him to make their mark there.
