Surprise Premier League club keen to make move for Chelsea outcast Romelu Lukaku - Reports
Aston Villa have reportedly emerged as a surprise destination for Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian striker doesn't seem to have a future at Stamford Bridge after spending the last two seasons on loan.
Since arriving at the club for a second stint in the summer of 2021, the 31-year-old fell out of favour and was loaned back to his former club Inter Milan the next summer. After a permanent move to the Nerrazzuri broke down, the Belgian was loaned out to AS Roma in 2023 before he returned to Stamford Bridge this summer.
Although he has two years left in his contract, Lukaku is seemingly surplus to requirements at his parent club, and the situation is unlikely to change under new manager Enzo Maresca.
There have been talks about a permanent move to Napoli - where he would be able to reunite with his former Inter boss Antonio Conte - but the Partenopei apparently favour a 'loan-to-buy' agreement rather than an outright purchase.
Amidst that, Villa have emerged as an unlikely next destination for the 31-year-old, as reported by Il Mattino (via Sport Bible). The Blues want the striker to go to Villa Park, where he would get UEFA Champions League football, but Lukaku is only interested to join Napoli.
The Belgian hasn't travelled with Chelsea for their pre-season tour of the US and is training alone. Interestingly, Lukaku's move to Napoli is apparently dependent on striker Victor Osimhen moving the other way, but the Nigerian's release clause of £111 million is proving to be problematic.
How has Romelu Lukaku fared at Chelsea?
Chelsea hitman Romelu Lukaku has had an underwhelming stint at the club since arriving from Inter three years ago. In 59 games across competitions, he has contributed only 15 goals and two assists.
All those goals and one of the assists came in 44 games across competitions during his second stint at the club. That includes eight strikes in 26 Premier League outings, three in six matches in the FA Cup, and two goals and an assist in six games in the UEFA Champions League.
Lukaku is coming off a 21-goal season at Roma, also bagging four assists in 47 outings across competitions but endured a goalless campaign at Euro 2024, where Belgium crashed out in the Round of 16.