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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Alex Young

Chelsea: Romelu Lukaku confirms imminent Roma transfer as he flies in to finalise move

Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku has confirmed his imminent move to Roma.

The Belgian has been deemed surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge, two years after joining for Inter Milan in a deal worth almost £100million, and is desperate to find a new club before Friday's summer transfer deadline.

Chelsea were hoping to recoup some of their transfer outlay and did accept a £40m bid from a Saudi Arabian club for Lukaku, only for the striker to reject a move to the Middle East. Juventus were also keen, but only if Chelsea signed Dusan Vlahovic and offered cash.

The Blues have now reluctantly made Lukaku available for loan and former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has made his move, which the striker has now confirmed.

Speaking to Belgian publication Het Laatste Nieuws at a youth tournament in which his son was player, he said: "I’m nervous [about his son’s debut], I’m going to Rome [on Sunday] to sign."

It will be the third time Mourinho and Lukaku work together.

Roma captain Lorenzo Pellegrini was tight-lipped on a deal when speaking to DAZN on Saturday: “I don’t know what Lukaku would bring, but there are those who are working to make it happen. When it will be done, then we’ll see what he can bring, otherwise it’s like talking about any player in the world.”

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