Chelsea leave Romelu Lukaku at home one more day. The Red Devil only has to register on Tuesday, when the rest of the core is already in the United States for its preparation. After the transfer to Inter fell through, Italian media wrote that Roc Nation would have broken with ‘Big Rom’. That is not the case at the moment: Roc is looking for a solution for his future together with lawyer Ledure and the family. Juventus is the priority.
LOOK. Lukaku was sent off in April after he retorted to racist Juventus fans
Lukaku’s ex-club Inter decided this week to withdraw from the striker’s transfer file. There are no more negotiations. Camp Lukaku has already been notified. At Inter, they blame him and his lawyer, Sebastien Ledure, especially for flirting with Juventus. They accuse Lukaku of a lack of loyalty. Because he begged to be allowed to stay at Inter, but left his entourage behind to contact other clubs.
Sources within Inter whispered to journalists that Sebastien Ledure could not be reached. That he stopped answering his phone. That he broke with Roc Nation and suddenly failed to fulfill his commitment to Inter. However, Chelsea and Inter needed his final blessing to close a deal. However, there was no agreement at club level on Friday – Inter still did not come close to Chelsea’s asking price. Nevertheless, Inter pulled the plug.
Roc Nation did not quite like the course of events, but the management agency tried to mediate on Saturday to get Lukaku and Inter back to the table. Without result.
After all, a possible choice for Juventus would be unfortunate. Roc Nation bought a full-page advertisement in the Gazzetta dello Sport last season after Lukaku was the victim of racism during a match against Juventus. They then also demanded an apology from Juve.
In Italy and England they suggested that both parties would therefore break, but that is not yet the case. A definitive break is being contradicted today. Roc Nation says it is currently working with Ledure and the family on a solution.
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Lukaku will report back to Chelsea on Tuesday anyway, although it seems very unrealistic that ‘Big Rom’ will stay there. The Blues are not taking him on their US tour. They want to sell our compatriot as soon as possible. Yet he is allowed to train there: only after the A-squad has left for the US.
Juventus remains a solid option. Coach Massimo Allegri urged his club management again for Lukaku at the beginning of this week. Technical director Cristiano Giuntoli went to London on Wednesday to check on Chelsea. Lukaku himself has also courted the ‘Old Lady’ and the attacker has not slammed the door. ‘Big Rom’ knows that he can earn a gross 12.5 million euros per year at Juve.
In any case, Juventus has asked Lukaku to wait with his decision. The club must first find a solution for Dušan Vlahović. Until the Serb leaves, Juventus will not have the financial clout to do anything. Al-Hilal from Saudi Arabia is also not completely out of the race.
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Lukaku has always indicated that he only wants to return to Inter. Not elsewhere. But his past speaks against him. In 2017, on the day Everton were due to announce a five-year contract extension, he flatly said he would not sign.
That same year he actually wanted to go to Chelsea, but in the last resort he chose Manchester United. And two years ago he said he wanted to stay with Inter first. To then move to Chelsea at the last minute for 113 million euros due to unfinished business. The ways of ‘Big Rom’ are not always easy to fathom.
FOOTBALL PLAYERS ON HOLIDAY. Romelu Lukaku unpacks with dunk, son Roméo indulges in his own Red Devils shirt
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