Real Madrid offered chance to sign Chelsea outcast - Reports

Real Madrid have reportedly been offered the chance to sign Chelsea's Romelu Lukaku by the player's agent.

The Belgium international has been deemed expendable by the Blues this summer, and they are eager to get him off their books, as per transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. His £97.5 million move from Inter Milan two years ago hasn't gone well.

Lukaku was allowed to join I Nerazzurri last summer on a season-long loan spell, where he scored 14 goals in 37 games across competitions. Inter were seemingly interested in signing him permanently but gave up their pursuit when they found out that he was also secretly in talks with their domestic rivals Juventus.

Spanish outlet El Debate (h/t @Chelsea_HQ on X) now claim that Lukaku's agent has offered the 30-year-old to Real Madrid. Los Blancos' pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe is yet to bear fruit, though.

The Frenchman, after making it clear that he won't extend his stay beyond 2024, is now open to penning a new deal at PSG. It remains to be seen if Madrid turn to other options if they fail to sign the 24-year-old this summer.

Lukaku has played in Belgium, England and Italy but is yet to ply his trade in Spain. Real Madrid played their La Liga opener on August 13 at Athletic Club without a No. 9, fielding a diamond midfield formation.

They won 2-0, with goals from Rodrygo Goes and Jude Bellingham, but manager Carlo Ancelotti would hope to have a trusted No. 9 soon.

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Carlo Ancelotti praises Rodrygo Goes after Real Madrid's win over Athletic Club

Carlo Ancelotti was full of praise for Rodrygo Goes after Real Madrid's opening-day win against Athletic Club in La Liga.

Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr. played in a narrow 4-1-2-1-2 system, where they were the two attackers up top. The former scored a goal in the 28th minute with a stinging shot inside the box.

Ancelotti praised the Brazilian winger for adjusting to the new system, telling the club website (h/t MadridUniversal):

"He possesses different characteristics to Joselu. He combined very well with Valverde and Carvajal on the right wing.

"He’s adapting to this system very well, as is Vini Jr. They’re very young and are progressing nicely, but they need to continue with this progression."

Joselu, 33, has been loaned from Espanyol for the 2023-24 season for a €500,000 loan fee to strengthen the club's depth at No. 9. He isn't thought of as a regular starter and only managed ten minutes against Bilbao.