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5 months ago
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Romelu Lukaku has hinted at a move to Saudi Arabia, which could bring his disastrous second spell at Chelsea to an end.
The Blues are keen to permanently offload the Belgian striker this summer, following two years out on loan in Italy.
Lukaku, who joined the club for £97.m in the summer of 2021, has been linked to a number of Italian clubs.
However, the 31-year-old has talked up Saudi Arabia, hinting at a move to the Middle East, as he appeared to sound a path for the rest of his career.
Speaking to HLN, Lukaku said: 'Saudi Arabia wouldn't stop me. The level (of football in the country) will only increase. To a much higher level than many people think.
Romelu Lukaku has hinted at a move to Saudi Arabia which could bring his Chelsea stint to a close
The striker, who signed for £97.5m, has spent the last two seasons away on loan in Italy
Chelsea are keen to cash in on the out-of-favour striker during the summer transfer window
'More and more football players will tend to play there. Also because of how the fans there experience football. The infrastructure still needs to be improved, but all major European top clubs know: 'Saudi Arabia is coming' - you already see that in boxing, golf, Formula One.'
Lukaku had been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League last summer, but doubts arose at the time due to the level of football in the country, with the Belgian insisting he was 'scared for a moment'.
He revealed that he has often to spoken to Belgian international team-mate Yannick Carrasco - who plays for Al Shabab - about life in the country, and now believes 'you really have everything there'.
In a separate interview with RTL, Lukaku added that he already has his future 'figured out' in his head.
He said: 'I'm going to decide. I am in control of my situation. I'm going to make a choice and once I explain it, everyone will agree with me.
'Look, every time I decided to stay or leave somewhere, certain factors - for example my relationship with the coach - turned out to be the right choice.
'It's like having a relationship with a woman. If we don't click anymore, why stay together?'
The Belgian also revealed that he wants to finish his career at Anderlecht - where he started his senior career.
Lukaku wants to finish his career at Anderlecht - where he started his senior career
He insisted he misses his mother and his children, as his eldest son, Romeo, plays in the youth team of the Belgian side.
Speaking of a move he said: 'It will happen. And much earlier than people think.'
His international team-mate Kevin De Bruyne has also declared that he would be open to quitting Man City for Saudi Arabia.
When asked about the potential of a switch to the Middle East, De Bruyne - who already earns £300k-a-week at City - admitted the ‘incredible amounts of money’ on offer make it an attractive destination that would be hard to turn down.
Lukaku's international team-mate Kevin De Bruyne is also open to a move to Saudi Arabia
Top stars including Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo have made the move to Saudi
‘I still have one year left on my contract, so I have to think about what could happen,’ he told Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws.
The idea of leaving Manchester City has been something that De Bruyne said he has spoken about extensively with his wife Michele Lacroix.
Lacroix is said to be receptive to an ‘exotic adventure’, further strengthening suitors’ belief that De Bruyne, who also has interest from MLS clubs, can be enticed by an offer this summer.
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