Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku will reportedly refuse to join AC Milan or Newcastle United at the end of the season.
According to the Evening Standard, the centre-forward has no plans on returning to Italy or moving to the fellow Premier League side.
Lukaku’s potential departure from Stamford Bridge has become a hot topic of discussion in recent weeks.
Is Romelu ready to leave?
A dismal first season back in blue hasn’t given supporters much reason to believe the club-record signing will be around next term.
Especially after the Belgian international was left on the bench again at the weekend, the fourth time he’s been an unused substitute this term.
The 28-year-old had to watch on from the familiar stands at Goodison Park as Chelsea lost 1-0 against his former side Everton.
When Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic were brought on ahead of him to try and salvage the result, in that moment, Lukaku must’ve wondered what was the point in even being there.
A thought that’s probably gone through his mind at several stages throughout his second spell as a Blue.
Reflections that have potentially been mixed with images of playing and enjoying football elsewhere.
Barcelona, Bayern Munich and AC Milan have all had their names thrown in the direction of the number nine.
However, it appears Milan and now Newcastle can be slashed from the list.
No love from Lukaku for Newcastle
Eddie Howe’s employers have only really entered the conversation because of their ability to afford Lukaku’s ludicrous wages.
His £300,00-a-week (Evening Standard) salary could be covered by the Magpies’ new owners.
If money is the driving factor, then St James’ Park sounds like a decent option for Chelsea’s stuttering signing.
Also, Howe has been an open admirer of Lukaku, praising him whilst still the Bournemouth manager back in 2017.
“Lukaku played very well,” said the current Newcastle boss following a game against Everton.
“His finishing was a real threat and very clinical – of the highest quality. But still I thought we were generous in the opportunities that we gave him.
“He has the physicality the pace and a deadly left foot as well but I think from our point of view it was about minimising the opponent.”
But despite this decent review, Lukaku evidently has ambitions of either fighting for his place at Chelsea, or linking up with a team slightly higher up the food chain than the Toon army.
Yet, he might find himself in a muddle if Thomas Tuchel decides to set him free in the next window and he has already rejected two openings.
Lukaku’s life just doesn’t get any easier, does it?
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