Chelsea are willing to negotiate a reduced transfer fee for Romelu Lukaku this summer, allowing the striker to make a permanent move to Roma, according to reports.
The 30-year-old had a loan spell with Inter Milan during the 2022-23 season before joining Roma on a 12-month deal in August last year.
Since then, he has been thriving under the guidance of their new manager Daniele De Rossi, tallying 18 goals in 35 appearances for the club thus far, and it is understood that the Serie A giants are interested in securing his services on a permanent basis.
According to a report from Italian outlet Calcio Mercato, Roma currently have a buy option in their loan agreement with Chelsea set at £37m, but it is understood that the Blues may be open to accepting an amount lower than that for Lukaku's permanent transfer.
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The report adds that I Giallorossi have the opportunity to enter negotiations with Chelsea and potentially acquire Lukaku's signature for a fee as low as £30m next summer.
Lukaku has never been part of Mauricio Pochettino's plans and Chelsea are understood to be eager to permanently offload him from their roster.
However, the Belgium international's staggering weekly wage of £300,000 with Chelsea has posed a significant challenge in finding a buyer for him over the past few years.
While the forward initially agreed to a 37.5% reduction in salary to join Roma, further reductions would likely be necessary for a deal to cross the line.
However, Lukaku's satisfaction in Rome, along with his family's encouragement to remain in Italy, introduces a personal aspect to the discussions, suggesting a preference that could impact the final outcome.
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Still, even if Roma were able to negotiate a deal, financial limitations may still prove to be a hurdle as the player's signing fee and wages could cost them around £51m.
Thus, Roma's desire to secure Lukaku on a permanent deal is closely tied to ability to qualify for the Champions League.
All the while, several Saudi Arabian clubs have also shown interest in Lukaku and they would have no trouble meeting Chelsea's asking price or the striker's salary demands.
As it stands, Roma currently occupy fifth place in the Serie A table, trailing fourth-placed Bologna by three points, while Chelsea are in 11th place in the Premier League, 14 points behind the top five teams in the standings.
Devesh Jaganath
