07 March 2024 , 07:00
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New Roma boss Daniele De Rossi has hailed Romelu Lukakua as the “perfect player” to lead his attack after six wins in his first seven Serie A games.
Now against Brighton in the Europa League on Thursday night, the on-loan Chelsea forward has the perfect stage to display his undoubted goalscoring talents to potential suitors this summer Or RL9 could help Roma reach a third consecutive European final - and into the Champions League - to secure a permanent move to the Eternal City.
It is all to play for potentially the last big move of his career over the final three months of his latest incident-packed season. Lukaku’s August move to the Italian capital was a shock even by the standards of his career.
The Belgian rejoined Chelsea in 2021 for a then club record of £97.5m but fell out with manager Thomas Tuchel after his infamous Sky Italia interview. He said he was “not happy” with his playing time at Stamford Bridge and questioned the German’s tactics.
Lukaku was then shipped back out on loan to Inter Milan and still scored 10 goals in an injury-hit season - and was available for around £38m last summer as Chelsea attempted to balance their books after their £1bn spending spree. Lukaku wasn’t interested in Saudi Arabia but did speak to Inter’s bitter rivals Juventus about a move causing the Nerazzurri to pull out of any deal.
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Bayern Munich bought Harry Kane and Paris Saint-Germain signed Goncalo Ramos and Randal Kolo Muani as new forwards. It left Lukaku with little choice to re-unite with his former Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho - but not Champions League football - in Rome. He has scored 25 in 39 for club and country this season, including six in the Europa League and a 10th Serie A goal in the weekend win over Monza.
Lukaku joined Roma last summer when Jose Mourinho was head coach (Silvia Lore/Getty Images)Which club do you think Romelu Lukaku will join next? Let us know in the comments section
Former captain De Rossi, who took over from Mourinho in January, last week praised Lukaku’s unselfish attitude. “He always runs and fights,” said the Italian 2006 World Cup winner. “This makes everyone happy, he is a footballer that everyone would like. From this point of view, Romelu is the perfect player.”
Lukaku turns 31 in May and has already played for nine clubs across Europe - including West Brom and Everton - after starting as a teenager at Anderlecht. He now has two years left on his contract and Chelsea will be keen to sell this summer - just like they were keen to sell last year. A Saudi Pro League team might come back with a huge offer which neither the Stamford Bridge club nor Lukaku could refuse.
Former Roma captain Daniele De Rossi has returned to the club as the new coach (Getty Images)Winning the Europa League or qualifying for the Champions League - Serie A could have five places in the expanded format next season - could persuade Rome’s American owners to make a statement buy. But Paulo Dybala is out of contract at the end of next season and his re-signing will be a priority while Roma want to cut their wage bill.
And another European club could be prepared to invest in his guaranteed goals and Lukaku has proven that again this season.
Lukaku scored for Roma in their 1-1 draw against Servette in the Europa League (Getty Images)Whatever happens, a decisive display in the two-legs of the Europa League last 16 clash wll be good for him and his current club. Former Italy and AC Milan boss Arrigo Sacchi told Gazzetta dello Sport: “Lukaku guarantees that physicality that can throw the Brighton rearguard into disarray.”
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