Chelsea is prepared to allow Romelu Lukaku to depart in the summer, setting an asking price that would result in a record loss for the player.
Currently on loan at Roma, Lukaku has impressed with 15 goals in 26 matches. However, despite his productive loan spell, Chelsea has been compelled to reduce the asking price for the 30-year-old, having struggled to offload him last summer.
Under contract with Chelsea until 2026, Lukaku is deemed surplus to requirements, prompting the club to put him up for sale at a fee of €43 million, a significant reduction from the €113 million they paid for his services.
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This move could result in an unprecedented €70 million loss for Chelsea, marking a historic setback for the club. Despite Chelsea’s recent trend of setting transfer records under new ownership, this particular record is not one they are eager to make.
Chelsea has previously signed seven players for €70 million or more, with six of them, including Lukaku and Kepa Arrizabalaga, currently on their roster. Kai Havertz is the sole player in this category who has been sold, leaving for Arsenal in the summer for a fee of €75 million, resulting in a €5 million loss.
The potential loss on Lukaku’s sale would be unparalleled in Chelsea’s history. Even at the reduced asking price of €43 million, Chelsea may face challenges in finding a suitable buyer. While Lukaku is a proven goal-scorer, his age (30) makes him a potential risk. Additionally, his strained relationship with Inter, where he had secret negotiations with Juventus last summer, limits the pool of feasible clubs for his signing.
Despite rejecting a move to the Saudi Pro League last summer, Lukaku has hinted at openness to a move to the Middle East in 2024.