‘Countdown has started’ – Sunday morning talks bring Chelsea deal to brink of reality, Blues exit is finally on way

The Italian media now reports a ‘countdown’ in the talks between AS Roma and Chelsea for the transfer of Romelu Lukaku.

That information comes from Gianluca Di Marzio, who claims the clubs are ‘closing’ in on an agreement for the centre-forward.

It’s said that following a meeting in London on Saturday, there were new positive contacts between Roma and Chelsea on Sunday morning.

The clubs are currently finalising a loan deal, for which the Giallorossi will be paying €5m.

The current negotiations are now for Lukaku’s wages, which are being discussed with the player’s representatives. It’s said the Serie A side should reach the mark of €7.5m net per year.

Earlier on Sunday, Gazzetta Dello Sport had already used similar words, claiming the ‘countdown has started’ for Lukaku to be Roma’s newest signing.

There it was claimed that the €7.5m salary is actually a reduction, with the player taking a pay cut to play under José Mourinho.

As for the loan fee, Gazzetta claim that Chelsea’s initial request was €10m. Roma started from €4m and strongly negotiated for a low fee, and could now get the deal done for just €5m.