Fabrizio Romano has shared his insights on Romelu Lukaku's departure from Chelsea this summer, as the player is nearing a loan move to Roma.
In an exclusive column for CaughtOffside, the Italian transfer expert explained that the striker was initially close to rejoining Inter Milan earlier in the transfer window.
Juventus also emerged as a potential destination for the Belgian superstar, however, the player's move to Turin was contingent on the club selling Dusan Vlahovic.
This situation left Lukaku in a state of uncertainty for a period. Presently, all the pieces seem to have fallen into place for the 30-year-old to exit Stamford Bridge and head to Stadio Olimpico.
There, he will reunite with Jose Mourinho, under whom he has previously played at Manchester United and during his first stint with the Blues.
“After months of being close to Inter and then wanted by Juventus, there’s now a deal agreed with Roma. It’s a loan deal with no mandatory buy option, and Roma will cover €7.5m of his salary. Of course, Chelsea already paid his salary for July and August, so this is valid only for ten months. Chelsea will also get a loan fee higher than the €5m which has been reported. Lukaku will now travel to Rome on Tuesday.
“Inter wanted Lukaku back earlier this summer and they were prepared to close the deal at the end of June, but then they didn’t get a final green light from Lukaku, and they understood it happened because Romelu was negotiating with Juventus.
"Those secret talks with Juve became public then, and Lukaku agreed personal terms with Juventus on a three year deal. However, another twist was that the only way for Juve to make it happen was to sell Dusan Vlahovic, and it didn’t happen."
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