CHELSEA are now ready to let Romelu Lukaku leave on loan before next week's transfer deadline, according to reports.
The Belgian spent last season at Inter Milan following a disastrous return to Stamford Bridge the prior campaign.
Lukaku, 30, has not been reintegrated into the first team group at Chelsea under Mauricio Pochettino this summer.
The Blues have been seeking a permanent move for their former No9, and were previously not entertaining a loan move.
But having so far failed to do so, The Athletic claim that Chelsea will now consider a loan exit for Lukaku in a dramatic U-turn.
The forward has interest from Juventus and his former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho at Roma.
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Juve are believed to have offered around £35million for Lukaku, who cost the Blues £97.5m two years ago.
Lukaku is believed to be training with the Under-21s and has not spoken to Pochettino this summer.
Speaking about the situation, Poch said: "The issue was already really clear before we arrived here. There was a wish between the club and player to find a solution. At the moment we’re relaxed and nothing has happened.
“If something changes we will inform you. If the player and club’s wish is to find a solution, it’s not me, it’s them.
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“In that case, the player and club will inform me that things have changed.
“I’m not going to move until the club or player wants to talk with me.
“I am here, I accept the situation that was here when I arrived on July 3.”
Pochettino, 51, is eager to sign another forward before the end of the transfer window.
He is currently having to contend with injuries to Armando Broja, Christopher Nkunku and attacking midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka.
Speaking ahead of tonight's Stamford Bridge clash with Luton, Pochettino said: "If you bring in a player that is not fit or needs to adapt, maybe you spend the same time waiting for Broja, Nkunku or Carney.
“Then you are going to create a mess in the squad. That is why we are working really hard to analyse the situation.”
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