The possibility of a shock trade has been raised.

“Roma could make a shock offer to Chelsea,” Italian outlet Calcio Mercato reported on June 26, saying, “Roma could make a swap deal for Romelu Lukaku, 30, and Tammy Abraham, 25. The deal would include cash for Lukaku.”

Chelsea’s troublesome Lukaku has been out on loan to Roma this season. This is his third reunion with Jose Mourinho. Lukaku, who played for Chelsea and Manchester United, reunited with Mourinho when he joined Roma.

He seems to be happy in Rome. Lukaku has scored in three consecutive games since joining Roma. He scored his debut goal against Empoli, followed by the winner against Sheriff and the opener against Torino. That’s two goals in three Serie A games and one in one UEFA Europa League game.

Mourinho’s tutelage has paid off. Mourinho is a veteran coach who has managed soccer’s bad boys in the past, including Mario Balotelli. “When Lukaku scored his debut goal, I knew he was happy, he’s a player who needs to be happy and wants love,” Mourinho said. “As soon as he arrived, I felt he was the player Roma needed. I think he is really happy,” he said. “He obviously loves to win. It’s in his nature.”

In recent years, Lukaku has been branded a traitor by his former clubs. According to Sky Sports, Lukaku publicly stated that he wanted to join Inter Milan, but he was reportedly secretly looking for a move to Juventus. Even his closest teammates turned their backs on him. Lautaro Martinez, 25, said: “I tried to get in touch with Lukaku. I called him, but he never answered. “I was disappointed, as were the rest of my teammates. He’s a player with whom I’ve shared many things over the years.”

“The relationship with the club has long since broken down. It was a mess. Lukaku is still under contract with Chelsea. Chelsea spent £87.5 million in the summer of 2021 to bring Lukaku to the club. In his first season, Lukaku struggled and was relegated to the bench. He even made headlines when he dropped the bombshell “I’m not happy at Chelsea” in an interview with Sky Italia. From then on, Chelsea treated Lukaku as an afterthought. Lukaku spent the 2022-23 season on loan at Inter Milan. 스포츠토토

It was his second loan spell after joining Chelsea. After being linked with Juventus and Inter Milan, Lukaku realized his dream: “I will fly to Rome and sign,” he told Belgium’s HLN. According to Sky Sports, Lukaku’s fee is £8 million (approx. KRW 13.3 billion).

“Lukaku has established himself as Roma’s main striker,” said Calcio Mercato, adding, “Roma are sure to ask Chelsea for a permanent move if Lukaku continues to play well until the end of the season. Abraham could be part of the deal. Abraham is sidelined with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee. He could return to Chelsea