Chelsea will ‘entertain’ loan offers for Romelu Lukaku as the transfer deadline approaches if a permanent sale cannot be agreed.
Lukaku is currently training with the club’s u-21 side after returning from a loan spell at Inter Milan, with both Chelsea and the forward having been working on an exit from Stamford Bridge throughout the summer.
Inter had been interested in a permanent deal for the 30-year-old, but withdrew their interest after learning Lukaku had also been negotiating with rivals Juventus.
The latter remain keen on a deal but have been unable to meet Chelsea’s asking price of around £35m, while the west Londoners have also received enquiries from Roma and The Saudi Pro League. Lukaku is understood to favour remaining in Europe at this stage of his career.
Chelsea had demanded that Lukaku would only leave on a permanent basis this summer, but The Athletic are reporting that their stance has softened as the deadline approaches.
The Blues are now willing to entertain loan approaches for the Belgium international, who signed for the club in a then-record £97.5m deal in 2021. Any loan deal would require an obligation to buy the forward or contain a meaningful loan fee.
