One Chelsea player has admitted he has somewhat changed his mind over a potential move to Saudi Arabia this summer.
The Blues are expected to sell a number of first team players this summer in order to facilitate the funds for some new signings.
New additions will be key to new manager Enzo Maresca’s first season at Stamford Bridge after he was announced as the man to take over from Mauricio Pochettino.
A number of those who are likely surplus to requirements were out on loan last season, and the club now face the task of convincing some sides to take them permanently.
One of those players is Romelu Lukaku, after he spent his second consecutive campaign on loan in Italy last season.
It has been claimed they are holding out for a fee of around £38m in order to permanently part ways with the Belgian.
Romelu Lukaku more open to Saudi Arabia move
Last summer there was hope that he would move on to Saudi Arabia, with clubs there offering big money for his services.
While he didn’t seem too keen on the move then, he said in an interview to HLN that he was now in a different place.
He said: “I have often spoken with Yannick about life there. He lives in a compound there, but you really have everything there.
“Saudi Arabia wouldn’t stop me. The level will only increase. To a much higher level than many people think. 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 1…”
The Blues have seen a number of their former players end up in Saudi Arabia, withN’golo Kante starring out there in particular right now.
Both Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy were also sold there after dropping out of the first team, and Lukaku could well be added to that list soon.