Romelu Lukaku stance on Aston Villa transfer as Unai Emery ready to pay Chelsea release clause

According to Alan Hutton, Romelu Lukaku, a striker for Chelsea, is not expected to be interested in joining Aston Villa before to the transfer deadline.

West Ham United’s Ghanaian midfielder #14 Mohammed Kudus (R) controls the ball past Aston Villa’s Belgian midfielder #08 Youri Tielemans during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Aston Villa at the London Stadium, in London on March 17, 2024. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Despite interest from Italian powerhouse Napoli, reports indicate that Unai Emery’s team is prepared to fulfil the Belgian international’s £36.6 million release clause this summer [Il Mattino, 13 August].

The Belgian is reportedly waiting to return to Italy in order to team up with former Chelsea manager Antonio Conte in Naples, rather than being eager to transfer to Villa Park.

Hutton thinks the Villans will try to recruit more attackers before the transfer window closes at the end of August, but he doesn’t think Emery should take a “risk” on Lukaku.

Exclusive to Villa News, Hutton stated, “I think it would be a risk.”

The issue with Lukaku, in my opinion, is whether or not he is coming in as a starter and whether or not he is aware that Ollie Watkins will be playing. It hasn’t exactly worked out for him over the past few seasons.

“I am aware of his versatility and his ability to play wide, but that is not what he will do. It would be an interesting one because, in my opinion, he currently thrives in the middle.

“At his age, Lukaku undoubtedly wants to play football, and if he can’t get it at Aston Villa, I doubt he would want to be there and take the back seat.