Romelu Lukaku was greeted like a hero upon arrival at Rome's Ciampino airport. Credit: AP/Alfredo Falcone
Romelu Lukaku was hailed as a hero when he landed in Rome on Tuesday ahead of the completion of his season-long loan move to Roma from Chelsea.
About 5,000 fans The Roma welcomed Lukaku at Rome's Ciampino Airport, southeast of the city, waving flags and hanging banners reading «Big Roma, the new King of Rome» and «Romelu Lukaku, I'm waiting for you, I'm yours.» Juliet'. A mural depicting the attacker has also already been painted in Rione Monti.
Lukaku's move to Roma is due to be officially completed on Wednesday, with Chelsea receiving a loan of more than £5m after a 30-year hiatus. The one-year-old has agreed to take his pay cut to just over £6m for a 10-month stay in Italy.
Chelsea have also included a £37m buyout in Lukaku's new deal, according to Telegraph Sport. setting a price if Roma or another club wants to sign him permanently at the end of the season.
< p>Chelsea insisted they would not let Lukaku go on loan for a second straight summer, but the stalemate was eventually overcome by Roc Nation Sports, who also brokered the Belgian's return to Inter Milan last summer.
Roc Nation's relationship with the Chelsea owners proved vital in finding a solution to Lukaku's situation, which threatened to go unresolved after he effectively gave up a permanent move to Saudi Arabia. undermined Inter Milan's interest after they saw two offers turned down and decided he didn't want to go to Juventus.
That cornered Chelsea, but Roc Nation managed to conclude an unusual deal, which ultimately satisfied all parties.
Speaking to Telegraph Sport, an Roma official said: «The Roma owners are determined to secure a deal with Lukaku. The club is getting better year after year thanks to the investment of the Friedkin family, and they see it as a key part of their vision to enable the club to achieve the best result and place in the top four in Serie A.
A A source close to the family Friedkin, added: “The Friedkin family is actively engaged in the development of Roma in order to achieve the glory that the club and fans deserve. Dan and Ryan's efforts and investment are clearly visible in deals such as this one, bringing world-class players like Lukaku into their vision.»
By agreeing a deal to bring Lukaku to Roma on loan , Chelsea are currently in talks to sign defender Trevo Chalobah to Bayern Munich before the transfer window closes on Friday night.
Bayern would have preferred to take Chalobah on loan for this season, while Chelsea would trying to negotiate a permanent deal.
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