Chelsea in talks with Roma over Romelu Lukaku loan

Chelsea are in talks with Serie A side Roma over the potential loan departure of striker Romelu Lukaku, 90min understands.

The Blues knocked back loan enquiries earlier this summer in the hope of finding a permanent buyer for Lukaku, but the Belgian rejected the chance to move to Saudi Arabia and saw Inter end their interest after learning of Lukaku's negotiations with Juventus.

While Juventus are prepared to sign Lukaku outright, the only offers presented thus far have been as part of a swap deal involving Dusan Vlahovic in which Chelsea would also have to pay an additional fee - a proposal which was swiftly knocked back.

Having once again rejected a move to Saudi Arabia in recent days, permanent buyers for Lukaku are proving hard to come by and now 90min understands Chelsea are once again open to letting the 30-year-old leave on loan.

Immediate interest has been registered from Roma, who are looking for a replacement for the injured Tammy Abraham. Jose Mourinho's side had enquired about signing Mason Greenwood from Manchester United but see someone with Lukaku's vast Serie A experience as the safer move.

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Juventus are focused on selling Moise Kean and do not currently believe they will have space to sign Lukaku even on a loan deal. Their interest in the Belgian is dependent on selling Vlahovic but that does not appear likely as the transfer window enters its final week.

Lukaku's entourage are understood to have contacted a handful of clubs to inform them that he is available on a loan deal with a view to drumming up more interest. Reports have named Paris Saint-Germain as possible suitors, although Lukaku was not keen on a move to the French capital earlier this summer.

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino recently left the door open to a reunion with Lukaku but made it clear that he would not instigate any discussions between the two, insisting the striker would have to make the first move if anything was to happen.

A loan exit for Lukaku could force Chelsea to rethink plans for other possible temporary departures. FIFA rules restrict clubs to just seven senior overseas loans this season and Chelsea have already used five of those spots on Kepa Arrizabalaga, Hakim Ziyech, David Datro Fofana, Gabriel Slonina and Angelo.

Teenage Brazilian striker Deivid Washington and new midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu had both been earmarked for loans to Ligue 1's Strasbourg, but should Lukaku finally seal his move, there would not be space for both youngsters to move abroad.

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