Chelsea is eager to offload their Belgian striker permanently this summer, after two years on loan in Italy.
Romelu Lukaku is now open to joining a Saudi Pro League club, a year after turning down an offer from Al-Hilal. Chelsea, who re-signed Lukaku for around £97.5 million in 2021, have seen him struggle at Stamford Bridge, leading to loan spells at Inter Milan and AS Roma.
In the 2023-24 season, Lukaku scored 21 goals for Roma, and while the Italian club is interested in keeping him, they can’t meet Chelsea’s £37 million asking price.
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Last year, Chelsea accepted an offer from Al-Hilal, but Lukaku rejected the move. Now, at 31, he has expressed interest in Saudi Arabia, hinting at a possible move to the Middle East.
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Lukaku mentioned talking frequently with his Belgian teammate Yannick Carrasco, who plays for Al Shabab, about life in Saudi Arabia, and now feels that “you really have everything there.”
Lukaku on why He rejected Al-Hilal’s offer
Reflecting on his decision to turn down Al-Hilal, Lukaku told VTM, “It was really intense for two weeks. For two days straight, I thought, ‘yes, I’m going,’ then ‘no, I’m not going.’
“I was scared for a moment because everyone started going there after I declined the offer.
“I’ve often spoken with Yannick about life there. He lives in a complex, but you really have everything you need.”
Lukaku spoke about his plans for the future.
“In my head, I already understand it. I know what will happen. A lot of people like to talk, maybe because I don’t have an official agent. But I will decide. I have control of my situation.
“I will make a choice and once I explain it, everyone will agree with me. Whenever I have decided to stay or go somewhere, it turned out to be the right choice due to some factors.”
Lukaku, who is preparing to represent Belgium in his sixth major tournament at Euro 2024, says patience is necessary as he considers his next move.
“A lot of people like to talk, maybe because I don’t have an agent, but I’ll decide,” he added. “I’m in control of my situation.
“I’m going to make a choice, and once I explain it, everyone will agree with me.”
Lukaku scored 14 goals in just eight games during Euro 2024 qualifying, setting a record for a European Championship qualification campaign. Those goals came from just 29 shots, with the 31-year-old averaging a goal every 39 minutes.
He is also Belgium’s all-time leading scorer at major tournaments (World Cup and Euros), with 11 goals in 22 matches.
However, only two of those goals have come in knockout games: one against the United States in the round of 16 at the 2014 World Cup and another against Italy in the Euro 2020 quarter-finals.
