Chelsea has reportedly agreed on a transfer fee with Aston Villa for Romelu Lukaku as the Blues grow frustrated with the striker’s preference to join another club this summer. Lukaku, who returned to Chelsea from Inter Milan in 2021 for £97 million, has had a turbulent stint at Stamford Bridge. Despite expressing his intent to complete “unfinished business,” his time at Chelsea was marred by controversial comments about then-manager Thomas Tuchel and his desire to return to Inter.
Lukaku’s Loan Spells and Transfer Rumors
Lukaku has spent the last two seasons on loan, first back at Inter Milan and then at Roma, where he scored 21 goals in 47 appearances in the 2023/24 season. Chelsea is now looking to offload the Belgian striker permanently and has been linked with several clubs, including Manchester United and Napoli.
Napoli’s Interest and Osimhen Deal
Napoli, under the management of Antonio Conte, who previously coached Lukaku at Inter, has shown significant interest. There were discussions about a potential swap deal involving Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, one of Chelsea’s top striker targets. However, Napoli’s €100 million asking price for Osimhen, even with Lukaku included, has proven to be a major hurdle. Chelsea would still need to pay an additional €60-€70 million, which is beyond their current budget constraints.
Chelsea’s Agreement with Aston Villa
Reports from Italy suggest that while Lukaku prefers a move to Napoli and has given his word to Conte, Chelsea has reached an agreement with Aston Villa. The details of the transfer fee remain unclear. Chelsea is pushing for Lukaku to accept the move to Birmingham as their patience with the striker wears thin. Currently, Lukaku is training alone at Cobham while the rest of the squad is on a pre-season tour in the United States.
Aston Villa’s Striker Search
Aston Villa is in the market for a new striker to complement Ollie Watkins, especially after Jhon Duran expressed his desire to leave in search of more playing time. Duran, who joined Villa in January 2023 from Chicago for £15 million, has been linked with Chelsea and West Ham. Despite a £35 million bid from West Ham being rejected, Duran remains intent on leaving Villa Park. Villa’s interest in Lukaku represents a significant move to bolster their attacking options.
Conclusion
The transfer saga surrounding Romelu Lukaku is a complex one, with Chelsea eager to finalize a deal and Aston Villa emerging as a serious contender. While Lukaku’s preference for Napoli complicates matters, Chelsea’s agreement with Villa indicates a potential resolution. The coming days will be crucial in determining where the Belgian striker will play next season, as both clubs and the player navigate the final stages of this transfer window.
