29 August 2023 , 23:00
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Jose Mourinho played a major role in convincing Romelu Lukaku to accept a new challenge with AS Roma after Chelsea shelved plans to sell the Belgium striker.
The Blues lured Lukaku, 30, back to Stamford Bridge for a second spell in the summer of 2021, shelling out a then club-record £97.5million to Inter Milan. But after struggling to impress, Lukaku was shipped back to his former club on loan last year.
After seeing talks over permanent deals to Inter and Juventus collapse earlier in the dinow, Lukaku has been left in limbo during the opening weeks of the 2023/24 campaign. However, the former Manchester United forward has now been given a career lifeline by Mourinho.
According to The Independent, Mourinho spoke to Lukaku privately in order to persuade him that a transfer to Rome was the right move. Furthermore, the Portuguese coach then sent a delegation to London to thrash out a deal with Chelsea; making it clear they were not to return to Italy without an agreement.
Prior to Mourinho and Roma making their interest known, Chelsea were determined to only entertain permanent offers for Lukaku in a bid to recoup a slice of the significant sum they spent to bring him back to the Premier League two years ago.
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However, a lack of suitors forced the Londoners to soften their stance, with Roma poised to pay a £8m loan fee and cover Lukaku's wages in full as part of the deal.
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Lukaku is set to complete another loan move away from Chelsea (Getty Images)It had been reported last week that Lukaku had not spoken to Chelsea's new head coach Mauricio Pochettino and was training away from the first-team squad. The Blues have already signed Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku this summer and are also understood to be in the market for another forward.
Mourinho, who has previously worked with Lukaku before at Chelsea and Manchester United, told The Times last summer that he knew how to get the best out of the Belgium international.
Speaking backing in June 2022, Mourinho said of Lukaku: “[In his first spell] at Chelsea, he was still a kid. At Manchester United, he was still developing. At Inter he became the top man.
“He became loved - a big love from the supporters, love from teammates, great relations with the coach. He's a big guy, physically so strong, but there is also a kid inside who needs that love, needs that support, needs to feel important.”
Lukaku plundered 14 goals in 37 appearances in all competitions for Inter Milan last season, laying on a further seven assists.