Messi earns $55 million at Inter Miami, this is what Lukaku will be paid in AS Roma

Chelsea made a bad investment with Romelu Lukaku. In 2021 they paid him more than $120 million to Inter, after a season in which he had shone in Italy with 30 goals in 44 games, forming a fearsome attacking duo with Lautaro Martinez and winning the Serie A title. No one could have imagined at the time that the Belgian striker would drop so much in the following seasons.

After disappointing fans with his performance in the Premier League, Lukaku was loaned to Inter in 2022. There he improved his level, but was far from what he once was. Therefore, upon his return to London this summer, The Blues decided to keep him out of Mauricio Pochettino's squad and have been looking for a new club for him ever since.

While the original plan was to sell him, the lack of satisfactory offers and the closing of the transfer window getting closer and closer made Chelsea agree to a loan deal and AS Roma are the favorites to take him. Coach Jose Mourinho knows him from Manchester United and is confident in his talent.

Reports indicate that the transfer is close to being agreed. In fact, Lukaku himself confirmed as much in an interview with HNL. The Italian side will pay $5 million for Lukaku's one-year loan, while his salary will be $7.5 million, plus bonuses if certain goals are met.

Far from the best

In the best moment of his career, Romelu Lukaku agreed with Chelsea a salary of $15 million per year, double what he will earn at AS Roma. Not only will the Belgian striker earn far less than in England, but he will be further and further away from what the world's top stars are earning. Erling Haaland has a salary of $23 million at Manchester City, while Lionel Messi at Inter Miami earns almost $55 million.