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Romelu Lukaku has hinted at a move to Saudi Arabia which could end his disastrous second spell at Chelsea.
The Blues want to permanently release the Belgian striker this summer, after two years on loan to Italy.
Lukaku, who joined the club for £97 million in the summer of 2021, has been linked with a number of Italian clubs.
However, the 31-year-old has made the move in Saudi Arabia, hinting at a move to the Middle East as he looked to pave a path for the rest of his career.
Speak with HLNLukaku said: ‘Saudi Arabia wouldn’t stop me. The level (of football in the country) will only increase. At a much higher level than many people think.
Romelu Lukaku has hinted that a move to Saudi Arabia could end his spell at Chelsea
The striker, who signed for £97.5 million, has spent the last two seasons on loan in Italy
Chelsea are keen to take advantage of the out-of-favour striker during the summer transfer period
‘More and more footballers will come to play. Also because of the way the fans experience football there. The infrastructure still needs to be improved, but all the major European top clubs know: ‘Saudi Arabia is coming’, you can already see that in boxing, golf, Formula 1.’
Lukaku was linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League last summer, but doubts were raised at the time due to the standard of football in the country, with the Belgian insisting he was ‘just scared’.
He revealed that he has often spoken to Belgian international teammate Yannick Carrasco – who plays for Al Shabab – about life in the country, and now believes that ‘you really have everything there’.
In a separate interview with RTL, Lukaku added that he has already ‘sorted out’ his future in his head.
He said, ‘I’m going to decide. I am in control of my situation. I’m going to make a choice and once I explain it, everyone will agree with me.
‘Look, every time I decided to stay or leave somewhere, certain factors – for example my relationship with the coach – turned out to be the right choice.
‘It’s like being in a relationship with a woman. If we don’t click anymore, why do we stay together?’
The Belgian also revealed that he wants to finish his career at Anderlecht – where he started his senior career.
Lukaku wants to finish his career at Anderlecht, where he started his senior career
He insisted that he misses his mother and his children as his eldest son, Romeo, plays in the Belgian youth team.
Speaking about a move, he said: “It will happen. And much sooner than people think.’
His international teammate Kevin De Bruyne has also stated that he would be open to leaving Man City for Saudi Arabia.
When Asked about the potential of a move to the Middle East, De Bruyne – who already earns £300,000 a week at City – admitted that the ‘unbelievable amounts of money’ on offer make it an attractive destination that would be difficult to refuse.
Lukaku’s international teammate Kevin De Bruyne is also open to a move to Saudi Arabia
Top stars such as Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo have made the switch to Saudi Arabia
“My contract still runs for another year, so I have to think about what can happen,” he told Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws.
The idea of leaving Manchester City is something that De Bruyne says he has discussed extensively with his wife Michele Lacroix.
Lacroix is said to be open to an ‘exotic adventure’, further strengthening the suitors’ belief that De Bruyne, who is also attracting interest from MLS clubs, could be enticed with an offer this summer.