Roma in talks with Chelsea over deal for Romelu Lukaku as striker aims to reunite with Jose Mourinho as Nottingham Forest Blues winger Callum Hudson-Odoi approaches
- Striker Romelu Lukaku is ready for a reunion with Roma boss Jose Mourinho
- Roma is unlikely to be able to afford an option to buy or his salary of £325,000 a week
- Nottingham Forest are close to agreeing a fee for winger Callum Hudson-Odoi
Roma sporting director Tiago Pinto and vice-president Ryan Friedkin flew to London on Friday to hold talks over a deal for Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku.
Chelsea had pushed for a sale for the Belgian but are willing to accept another loan with a substantial fee as Roma are unlikely to be able to afford a purchase option or the 30-year-old’s £325,000 weekly salary.
Chelsea have limited options as Lukaku has refused to join Juventus, Inter Milan or clubs in Saudi Arabia.
If Lukaku joined Roma, he would be set for a reunion with Jose Mourinho, who he previously played under at Manchester United.
They were also together at Chelsea for a while.
Roma have held talks with Chelsea in London over a deal for striker Romelu Lukaku
If he joined Roma, Lukaku would reunite with ex-Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho
Pinto and Friedkin were at Stamford Bridge before Chelsea’s game against Luton while speaking to Behdad Eghbali.
Lukaku is not part of Mauricio Pochettino’s plans at Chelsea and has not yet been given a squad number for this season.
The 30-year-old has been the subject of interest from Inter Milan and Juventus, but a deal has so far failed to materialise.
Lukaku was loaned out to Inter Milan last season and scored 14 goals in 37 appearances, having previously played as a regular at the club.
Chelsea have confirmed that midfielder Andrey Santos is joining Nottingham Forest on loan.
Forest are also close to a deal with Chelsea on winger Callum Hudson-Odoi and Corinthians have accepted a £14 million offer for Brazilian centre-back Murillo, 21.