Romelu Lukaku’s highly anticipated move to Roma from Chelsea was officially sealed on Wednesday, marking a significant moment for both the player and the fans. The Belgian striker’s arrival comes as a much-needed boost for Roma, who have had a challenging start to the Serie A season.
Although Roma is yet to make their official announcement, Serie A has confirmed the successful completion of the transfer. Lukaku was warmly welcomed by thousands of eager supporters upon his arrival at Ciampino airport, just outside Rome, on Tuesday.
Reports from Italian media reveal that Chelsea accepted a deal of around six million euros ($6.5 million) for Lukaku’s season-long loan to Roma. This move provides Roma with a formidable striker, a role they’ve been seeking to fill since Tammy Abraham suffered knee ligament damage last season.
To facilitate the transfer and comply with UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations, Lukaku has agreed to a reduced salary, dropping from almost 11 million euros to approximately 7.5 million euros.
While Roma has garnered only one point from their initial two matches, their struggles in converting dominance into goals have been evident. This shortcoming was evident in their recent 2-1 loss to Verona.
For Chelsea, the loan represents an attempt to resolve the costly and disappointing transfer that brought Lukaku from Inter Milan, costing the Premier League club a hefty 115 million euro purchase fee, along with his substantial annual salary.
Lukaku’s return to Italy sees him reuniting with his former Manchester United coach, Jose Mourinho. His presence is expected to aid Roma’s quest to secure a spot in the Champions League, a feat they haven’t achieved since 2018.