Unwanted in the summer by Chelsea and Todd Boehly, Romelu Lukaku had to find himself a new club, with AS Roma eventually getting him on loan.
It’s been widely covered that the Serie A side would need Champions League football to pay the Blues the €43m they want for the Belgian this summer, and that is why the chances of a permanent transfer aren’t high.
What will work in Chelsea’s favour is the interest in the player from Saudi Arabia, pointed out by Gazzetta dello Sport on Monday.
They recall that Al-Jilal already made attempts to lure him last summer, which he rejected to stay in Europe ahead of the Euros, but the next transfer window could be different.
The Chelsea loanee recently praised the Saudi Arabian league, suggesting he would be open to a move there, and that could quickly turn into a reality.
Gazzetta explain the striker ‘is aware’ that Roma will not pay the fee required to keep him, and he also knows he ‘cannot stay’ with the Blues.
Chelsea ‘want to monetise’ his departure by repeating a deal similar to the ones they pulled off for Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy.
In short, the Blues want rid, and they are hoping someone in Saudi Arabia will come knocking at the door with money.
