Mauricio Pochettino, the Chelsea star, declines significant ‘£7.5m salary increase’ offer
Mauricio Pochettino was quick to send Romelu Lukaku out on loan to Roma in the summer. Lukaku, who is currently on loan at Roma, has spent the last two seasons away from Chelsea following his temporary return to Inter Milan last time around. Lukaku was deemed surplus to requirements by Mauricio Pochettino over the summer, with the Argentine wasting no time in sending him out on loan for another season.
The forward has gone on to score 15 goals in all competitions for Roma and his prolific form is reportedly sparking interest from Saudi Arabia. It is said that a two-year contract, which is expected to include an annual salary of around £25.6million, will be put on the table by the Saudi giants in the summer. Lukaku currently earns around £17m per season at Chelsea, meaning that his wages will skyrocket by £7.5m if he accepts Al-Hilal’s lucrative offer. However, it remains to be seen if he will be prepared to entertain their advances. The Belgian forward has reportedly emerged as a summer target for Al-Hilal.
Chelsea are said to be determined to sell Lukaku at the end of the season, rather than sending him out for another loan spell away from Stamford Bridge. The report adds that a discount for Roma would be ‘unthinkable’, with the Blues not willing to reduce their demands as they look to recoup as much money as possible. In any case, it seems clear that Lukaku will not play for Chelsea again, with the 30-year-old having fallen drastically out of favour in west London.
Pochettino confirmed earlier this season that Lukaku’s situation had not changed, with the striker’s future in the hands of club bosses and not the Blues manager himself. “If the player and clubs wish is to find a solution, it’s not me, it’s them,” said Pochettino. “In that case, the player and the club will meet and inform to me that things have changed. I’m not going to move until the club or the player want to talk with me. I am here, I accept the situation that was here when I arrived.”
