Roma must qualify for the Champions League and hope Romelu Lukaku agrees to lower his wages to keep him at the Stadio Olimpico, but Hugo Ekitiké and Lorenzo Lucca are reported to be possible replacements for the Belgian star.
La Gazzetta dello Sport and Il Corriere dello Sport report the latest updates on the future of Lukaku, currently on loan at Roma from Chelsea.
According to the pink paper, the Giallorossi will have difficulty keeping the Belgium international in the capital, mainly for financial reasons. Chelsea’s asking price for the striker’s permanent sale exceeds €40m, and without the Growth Decree, the Giallorossi must pay nearly €14m per season in gross wages.
Gazzetta reports Roma have already identified two possible replacements for the 31-year-old. One is PSG starlet Ekitiké, the other is Lucca, currently under contract with Udinese.
On the other hand, CorSport claims Roma can still hope to keep Lukaku in the capital beyond the summer, but only under two conditions. First, they must get financial resources to purchase him from Chelsea by qualifying for the Champions League. Second, the club must convince Lukaku to lower his wages.
According to the report, Lukaku wants to remain at Roma in 2024-25 and even if he returns to Chelsea at the end of the season, he will leave Stamford Bridge in the summer as several Saudi Pro League sides are interested in securing his services.
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