Romelu Lukaku has reportedly been offered a mega-money package by Saudi club Al Hilal, who are willing to pay Chelsea’s £40m asking price.
The Belgium international spent last season on loan with Inter Milan, where he scored 10 goals in 25 Serie A appearances.
Mauricio Pochettino is willing to part ways with Lukaku permanently this summer, but only for the right price.
As previously reported by Football365, Inter are keen on re-signing Lukaku, but they are unable to meet Chelsea’s valuation.
This has left the door open for other clubs to make a move and the striker is reportedly subject to interest from the Saudi Pro League.
That is according to reputed transfer journalist Sacha Tavolieri. He claims that Al Hilal have offered Lukaku a huge contract in an attempt to lure him to the club.
On Twitter (via @DeadlineDayLive) he wrote: “Al-Hilal have offered Romelu Lukaku a £70.3M package over 3 years.
“They still hope to convince him to come. As it stands, the Saudi club are the only team willing to pay Chelsea’s £40m asking price.
“Lukaku’s preference is to stay in Europe but he is considering his options.”
It’s no secret that Pochettino is looking to sell players to balance the Chelsea books after a season of huge spending.
The Blues have already parted ways with the likes of Mason Mount, Kai Havertz, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Christian Pulisic and several others, while Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly have been sold to Saudi clubs.
Lukaku may well follow Mendy and Koulibaly despite his preference being to stay in Europe.
Chelsea’s willingness to sell Lukaku does come as a bit of a surprise, though, given how much they struggled to score goals last term.
The Blues scored just 38 goals, which was a key reason for them finishing in 12th place in the Premier League table.
Given Lukaku’s track record of scoring throughout his career, you would think that Pochettino would have at least considered giving him a chance in the Chelsea team next term.
However, everything points towards him leaving Stamford Bridge this summer as it stands, which means Pochettino will have to rely upon new arrivals like Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku to find the net for the Blues.
Inter would definitely be Lukaku’s preference but unless they conjure up a bid of £40m in the near future, Al Hilal’s reported offer remains the only viable one on the table.
READ MORE: Why Pochettino should name Raheem Sterling Chelsea captain over three alternatives
