The 30-year-old striker to reunite with José Mourinho for season-long stint at Italian club

Romelu Lukaku is set to complete a loan move to AS Roma, with Chelsea and the Italian club having reached an agreement for the Belgian striker. The 30-year-old forward, who had been training away from Chelsea’s first team, will reunite with José Mourinho, under whom he previously played at Manchester United.

The move, which could be finalized as early as Tuesday—pending medicals—will see Lukaku take a significant pay cut, reducing his £325,000-a-week wages by more than 50% in order to secure the move. This reduction in salary is a crucial factor in the deal, as his high wages were seen as a stumbling block to a permanent transfer away from Stamford Bridge.

Lukaku had been linked with a return to Inter Milan or a move to Juventus during the summer, but with the transfer window closing soon, Chelsea opted for a loan deal with Roma. Chelsea had hoped to find a permanent buyer for Lukaku, their highest-paid player, but with limited options, the loan deal has become the preferred solution.

Roma, managed by José Mourinho, is looking to bolster its attacking options, and Lukaku’s move to the Serie A side could see him play a key role in Mourinho’s squad this season.