Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino confirms that Romelu Lukaku's career at the club is all but over, after Belgian is snubbed for USA pre-season tour
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed that Romelu Lukaku's career at the club will soon come to an end.
The Argentine coach has been spending the last few weeks getting to grips with his Chelsea side ahead of the 2023-24 Premier League campaign.
As part of their preparations for the new season, the Blues will tour the USA and will play the likes of Wrexham, Fulham, Newcastle and Brighton in the coming weeks.
However, there was no space for Lukaku in Chelsea's 29-man squad heading to the States, as the club look for a potential exit for the striker.
Speaking about the decision to leave Lukaku in London, according to talkSPORT, Pochettino said: 'It is the club and of course it is an interesting situation.
'When this type of decision is [made, it is] because they all agree. The player and club are working hard to try and find best solution.'
'It is obvious the decision had been made on the side of the player also. We act in consequence of the decision. The club and player are in the position they wanted.'
It was confirmed on Monday that Lukaku - along with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Romelu Lukaku, Hakim Ziyech, Harvey Vale and Omari Hutchinson - was left out from their pre-season squad.
The Belgian striker has been closely linked with Italian giants Juventus, Inter Milan and a number of Saudi Pro League sides this summer.
However, Inter Milan's notorious Curva Nord ultras have labelled Lukaku as a 'mercenary' and accused the Chelsea forward of 'betrayal'.
Lukaku had been expected to rejoin Inter Milan after spending last season on loan at the San Siro, but Juve have emerged as favourites to sign him.
The Belgian forward is said to have snubbed Simone Inzaghi's side after being benched for the Champions League final last season.
Curva Nord had previously slammed Lukaku for the nature of his departure to Chelsea in 2021, when he joined the Blues for £97.5m after two years at Inter.
The Inter Milan ultras referenced Lukaku's previous 'betrayal' in a scathing statement on social media, where they labelled him as a 'vile cheap mercenary'.
However, Lukaku may also face difficulties in winning over Juventus fans should he complete a move to the club.
A group of Juventus supporters gathered outside the club's medical centre on Monday to chant that they 'don't want' Lukaku.
The Belgian striker does have an unsavoury history with the Juve fans, after 171 were banned for racially abusing him in April.