ROMELU LUKAKU is reportedly set to finally leave Chelsea on a permanent transfer as Roma look to replace him with another Blues flop.
Lukaku, 30, joined the Italians on loan last summer after refusing to revive his Stamford Bridge career.
Despite holding talks with Mauricio Pochettino after returning from his second spell with Inter Milan, the Belgian insisted on a reunion with former Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho.
And his time in the Italian capital has yielded 19 goals in all competitions — his best tally in three years.
However, Chelsea are determined to finally sell Lukaku on a permanent deal this summer and will not sanction another loan spell.
Several teams are pondering offers to meet his £38million release clause, which was agreed with Chelsea when he took a pay cut last year.
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Gazzetta claims the Blues hope to fund a move for Napoli’s Victor Osimhen with Lukaku’s funds.
And Todd Boehly could end up banking some more dosh as Roma want Chelsea flop Michy Batshuayi as Lukaku’s replacement.
He netted just 25 goals in 77 games after a £33m move to London in 2016.
Batshuayi has spent the past two seasons at Fenerbahce after being allowed to leave Stamford Bridge for a nominal fee.
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How Pochettino can solve Chelsea’s midfield crisis thanks to the works of a 13th century poet
By Andy Dillon
IT IS HIGHLY unlikely that Mauricio Pochettino is familiar with the work of Rumi.
Whether the renowned Islamic poet and mystic had the tactical dilemmas facing Chelsea’s head coach in mind while dreaming up his scholarly works in 13th century Afghanistan, we will never know.
It’s fair to say Rumi was not a regular in The Shed at Stamford Bridge.
Yet one of his most famous quotations strikes right at the heart of Pochettino’s problems trying to transform his team into consistent challengers at the top end of the Premier League.
It was Rumi who wrote so prophetically: “Two birds tied together. They will not be able to fly even though they have four wings.”
He could have scribbled that on the back of his programme from so many of Chelsea’s games this season with regard to Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez.
There is a feeling among regular Chelsea watchers that while it is a blow on a personal level for Fernandez to be ruled out for the rest of the season with his injury problem, it may yet turn to Pochettino’s advantage.
For it allows Caicedo to roam that patch in front of his defence with greater freedom. Both players are exceptional individual talents.
Read Andy Dillon’s take on Chelsea’s midfield in full.
Or check out all of Andy Dillon’s articles.
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And should Chelsea have included a sell-on clause in his deal to Turkey, they could end up pocketing an extra bit of cash if Roma do make a move this summer.
Daniele De Rossi’s side also fancy Benfica’s Rafa Silva, while Sardar Azmoun’s loan from Bayer Leverkusen could be made permanent.
But there could be already be a saviour at the Stadio Olimpico in the form of ex-Chelsea youngster Tammy Abraham, who has just returned to action after a lengthy ACL injury.
Meanwhile, should Napoli sell Osimhen to Chelsea, they are likely to move for Lille forward Jonathan David.
The Italians, who could soon make Antonio Conte their new boss, also like Feyenoord’s Santiago Gimenez and Girona’s Artem Dovbyk.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
