Top 7 football stars who rejected chance to play in Saudi despite huge offers
Football![Top 7 football stars who rejected chance to play in Saudi despite huge offers](https://images.sportsbrief.com/images/320x180/57ba675a145cbddd.webp?v=1)
Romelu Lukaku may have to reconsider his ambition of moving to Juventus this summer as he continues to encounter opposition from the fans, with their recent attack on him being brutal.
Chelsea are more than willing to cut their losses and part ways with the Belgian striker after just two years since they re-signed him from Inter Milan in 2021 for £97.5m.
Lukaku spent last season on loan at Inter Milan after falling out with Thomas Tuchel and the Chelsea hierarchy in his first year over an unsanctioned interview in which he questioned the German boss's tactics.
Top 7 football stars who rejected chance to play in Saudi despite huge offers
FootballNerazzurri were willing to sign him permanently after the Premier League club rejected another loan attempt and even agreed on a fee, but the striker disappeared and failed to give final approval, changing his mind and wanting a Juventus move instead.
As reported by The Guardian, Juventus have proposed the idea of a swap deal involving Lukaku and Dusan Vlahovic, but Chelsea are unconvinced about the Serbian and also the fee demanded by the Italians.
The Old Lady fans have been vocal about their opposition to the deal as it involves letting go of a 23-year-old striker for a 30-year-old with fitness problems and no resale value.
As spotted by Juve FC, the club's Curva Sud Ultras displayed a banner in Turin with a message for the former Manchester United striker.
"Lukaku, stay in Milan. We already have the second Goalkeeper," the banner reads.
Lautaro Martinez expresses disappointment over Lukaku's call ghosting saga
FootballThis is a direct jibe at the Chelsea striker.
Sports Brief reported that Chelsea dropped the strongest indication that the striker is not in their plans for next season after they failed to assign Lukaku a number.
The club announced its squad numbers for next season and left his number 9 vacant. The number 20, previously worn by Callum Hudson-Odoi, was assigned to Andrey Santos, while Hakim Ziyech's number 22 was also left blank.