Forgotten Chelsea star handed cut price ‘unofficial release clause’ despite stunning start to season
ROMELU LUKAKU reportedly has an unofficial release clause that could see him leave Chelsea permanently for a cut price.
Lukaku failed to impress when he rejoined Chelsea for almost £100m back in 2021 and has since been loaned out twice.
Now plying his trade in Italy with Roma, the 30-year-old has got off to an electric start with nine goals in 14 appearances for the Serie A outfit.
But with Chelsea keen to get the Belgian off their books permanently they have reportedly agreed an unofficial release clause that would see Lukaku leave for less than half what The Blues paid for him.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea have made a “gentleman’s agreement” with Lukaku to allow him to leave for just £35m.
Speaking to CaughtOffside he explained: “From what I’m told, Romelu Lukaku has something like a release clause, but not a proper release clause, there is a gentleman’s agreement between the player’s agents and Chelsea,
“Because they don’t want a situation like a few months ago in the summer transfer window when they had to negotiate with Juventus, then with Inter, then with Roma
“It was a very complicated summer for Chelsea around the Lukaku story, and so there is now a possibility for him to leave for €40m – and that’s not just for Roma, that’s for any club.”
Despite Lukaku excelling at the Stadio Olimpico it could come back to bite Roma when the summer transfer window rolls around.
It is understood that the agreement over a future fee for Lukaku is available to all clubs and could see the former Man Utd man head elsewhere at the end of the season.
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A permanent exit for Lukaku from Stamford Bridge would help Chelsea to re-balance their books after a number of transfer windows of mega spending.
The London side have spent over £1BILLION on transfers since Todd Boehly took over the club in May of 2022.