Merson explains why Lukaku will stay at Chelsea amid Barcelona, Newcastle links

Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson insists that Chelsea “haven’t got much choice” but to keep Romelu Lukaku at the club for next season.

The Belgium international returned to Stamford Bridge in the summer transfer window from Inter Milan for a huge £97.5m fee.

Much was expected of Lukaku in Thomas Tuchel’s side, who had just won the Champions League, but it hasn’t worked out the way Chelsea fans had hoped.

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Four goals in his first four games in all competitions had supporters salivating but Lukaku has only scored seven goals since with just two of those coming in the Premier League.

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And there have been rumours that Tuchel doesn’t see him fitting into his Chelsea team with the Blues looking to sell him in the summer transfer window.

However, with uncertainty surrounding the club and its takeover, Merson reckons Lukaku will be staying at Stamford Bridge for another season, despite links to Barcelona and Newcastle United.

“Chelsea haven’t got much choice but to keep going with Romelu Lukaku,” Merson told Sky Sports.

“They’re getting sold, they haven’t got any money, they can’t be buying people for £100m and selling them for half that.

“That ain’t