La Gazzetta dello Sport claims Roma can only afford Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea if they qualify for the Champions League this season, while Saudi clubs are ready to offer the Giallorossi star €30m per year.
Lukaku moved to Roma on a dry loan deal from Chelsea last season, meaning the Giallorossi don’t have an option to make his move permanent in June.
However, the 30-year-old has been Roma’s most decisive player this term with 12 goals in 19 appearances so the Giallorossi are considering signing him on a permanent deal.
According to Wednesday’s printed edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport on page 18, Chelsea have set the striker’s price tag at €42m next summer, a fee the Giallorossi can only afford if they qualify for the Champions League this season.
Another obstacle is the interest of Saudi clubs, especially Al-Hilal who are reportedly ready to offer Big Rom a €30m-a-year contract. Lukaku already snubbed a move to Saudi Arabia last summer, but it’s not guaranteed he’ll remain in Europe next season, especially if Roma fail to sign him permanently in June.
Roma currently sit 8th in the Serie A table but are just three points below the top four. They will qualify for the Champions League even by finishing fifth but only if Italy end the season in the top two of UEFA’s coefficients ranking.