£97.5m Chelsea star considering his options this summer as transfer looks likely

Journo backs Chelsea loanee Romelu Lukaku to make a decision on his future in the summer

According to transfer journalist Matteo Moretto, Romelu Lukaku is weighing his options before making a decision on his future with Chelsea. The 30-year-old striker is currently enjoying a prolific season with AS Roma in Serie A, having scored 19 goals across all competitions and helping the team reach the semi-finals of the Europa League.

Despite his success in Italy, Chelsea is reportedly open to parting ways with Lukaku next summer, as they have been unable to offload him permanently in the past two transfer windows. Lukaku’s previous comments expressing a desire to return to Inter Milan while playing for Chelsea may complicate his potential return to Stamford Bridge.

Since then, relations between Lukaku and the club have soured, leading to speculation that Chelsea will look to sell him during the upcoming transfer window.

But for now, transfer expert Maretto has something to say about Lukaku’s future, and he has updated CaughtOffside. Writing in his latest exclusive column for The Daily Briefing, he said:

“From his point of view, he is waiting to see what options he has, and a large part of that will depend on exactly what Chelsea are asking for this year.”

Chelsea’s efforts to find a permanent arrangement have been hindered by the challenge of finding a European club willing to meet the transfer fee demanded by Chelsea. This difficulty in securing a suitable deal may pose another obstacle for Chelsea as they look to offload Lukaku during the upcoming summer transfer window.

Lukaku’s productive season with AS Roma highlights his continued ability to perform at a high level. However, despite his on-field success, the strained relationship between Lukaku and Chelsea has complicated the possibility of a return to Stamford Bridge.

Given the history between Lukaku and the club, including his previous desire to return to Inter Milan while playing for Chelsea, it’s understandable that there may be doubts about his potential reintegration into the squad. Moreover, bringing the Belgian back to Chelsea could potentially anger supporters who may have reservations about his commitment to the club.

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By reducing the wage bill through Lukaku’s departure, Chelsea could have greater flexibility in their transfer dealings, allowing them to pursue additional signings and bolster the team in other positions. This financial flexibility could prove valuable in shaping the club’s future squad and addressing any areas of weakness or deficiency.

Ultimately, while Lukaku’s departure may represent the end of an era for Chelsea, it could also open up new opportunities for the club to reinforce and enhance their squad in pursuit of continued success on the field.