Chelsea sent major double transfer hint by £98m striker

Forgotten Chelsea man Romelu Lukaku has dropped a huge hint about his next move away from Stamford Bridge this summer.

The 31-year-old has only made 44 appearances for the Blues since returning to the London club in 2021 and doesn't appear interested in finding out what life might be like under Enzo Maresca. Lukaku, who cost Chelsea a staggering £97.5 million three years ago, is contracted until 2026.

The Belgium international has spent the last two seasons on loan in the Serie A, first at former club Inter Milan and then at Roma last season, with the latter outfit paying around £8 million for the loan and covering the entirety of Lukaku's wages.

It now appears that the talisman's future may not be in Italy as he hints at a potential transfer to either Saudi Arabia or back to Belgium. Lukaku rejected a move to Saudi side Al-Hilal last summer but now appears more open to the move.

Lukaku told Belgian outlet HLN: “Saudi Arabia wouldn't stop me. The level will only increase. To a much higher level than many people think. More and more football players will tend to play there.

“Also because of how the fans there experience football. The infrastructure still needs to be improved, but all major European top clubs know: 'Saudi Arabia is coming'. You already see that in boxing, golf, Formula 1.”

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There is rumoured to be interest from Serie A club Napoli this window with the player's former Inter manager Antonio Conte now at the helm and a £38 million bid touted. The Italian side could need to replace in-demand striker Victor Osimhen this summer.

When speaking to HLN, the Chelsea man also hinted at a potential return to boyhood club Anderlecht in Belgium. He said: "It will happen. And much earlier than many people think. I left Belgium when I was eighteen, you know.”