Chelsea forward Romelu Lukaku has reportedly emerged as a potential loan target for Roma.
Despite being back at Stamford Bridge since the second week of July, the Blues are yet to attract a suitable proposal for the Belgium international.
Inter Milan had been interested before learning that their former key man and loanee was in discussions with rivals Juventus, an occurrence which saw the Champions League runners-up move away from the negotiating table.
Juventus are not in a position to sign Lukaku unless they cash in on Dusan Vlahovic, while the Chelsea man is yet to entertain a switch to Saudi Arabia.
As a result, Chelsea find themselves in a position where they are becoming increasingly desperate to part ways with Lukaku, preferably on a permanent basis.
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Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital have taken a firm stance when it comes to rejecting loan offers for Lukaku, yet they may have to soften that view with the end of the summer transfer window arriving on September 1.
According to several different reports in Italy, Roma are monitoring the situation, despite the complexities that would come with trying to sign the former Manchester United man.
Perhaps most notably, Chelsea have already allowed five players to go out on loan to foreign clubs, and Deivid Washington will become the sixth when he completes a transfer from Santos and moves to Strasbourg.
The West Londoners can only facilitate seven such temporary departures, but Sky Sport Italia indicates that the 2022-23 Europa League finalists are considering proposing a loan move.
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Furthermore, La Gazzetta dello Sport reports Roma's interest in Lukaku on the front of their newspaper, while CEO Lina Souloukou is said to be in London and could discuss a deal.
Everything could be dependent on whether Roma are able to sign Atalanta BC striker Duvan Zapata on a season-long loan, the respective teams still speaking about that potential switch.
Roma require a replacement for Tammy Abraham, who will be sidelined until the end of 2023 at the earliest with the knee injury that he sustained at the end of the last campaign.
Menawhile, the financial position of I Giallorossi dictates that they may only be able to sign Lukaku on loan if Chelsea make a contribution to his wages.
Darren Plant
