Why Real Madrid significantly benefits from Romelu Lukaku’s transfer to Chelsea

Romelu Lukaku seemed like the only player at Inter Milan who was truly untouchable amidst the club’s financial woes, but, like Achraf Hakimi, he is making a big-money move to one of the Champions League favorites in Chelsea. And while Lukaku’s return to Stamford Bridge would seemingly be a blow to Real Madrid as another contender with huge financial power gains a superstar, it may actually help Los Blancos in the long run.

Before swinging a reported 115 million euro deal for Lukaku, Chelsea were one of the prime suitors for Erling Haaland. They were even trying to convince Borussia Dortmund to part ways with him this summer, against a pre-arranged agreement around a 75-80 million euro release clause in 2022.

Because Haaland, his father, his agent Mino Raiola, and Dortmund were all on the same page with the 2022 release clause that would give Haaland the freedom to move to his preferred club, we can also say that Chelsea were spending just as much time trying to convince Haaland himself.

Given they went after Lukaku in a deal worth nine figures, it’s safe to say that they could not convince Haaland, whose importance to BVB’s Champions League hopes has only increased after Jadon Sancho’s own blockbuster move to the Premier League.

Chelsea were seemingly Real Madrid’s fiercest competition for Erling Haaland

So Haaland is still available, and it is highly improbable for him to move before the summer 2021 transfer window ends. The other major suitor for him in England, Manchester City, currently seems preoccupied with bringing in Harry Kane to join Jack Grealish. And Bayern Munich may have future interest, though they have a Robert Lewandowski-sized question to weigh before they try to take another elite player away from their main competitors in Germany.

Prior to the Lukaku transfer, Chelsea, in need of a clinical striker to support Thomas Tuchel’s existing structure, looked like the biggest competition for Haaland both in 2021 and 2022. Now, Manchester United and Bayern may be the main threats, pending Kane’s future.

Chelsea being off the table for Haaland, presumably, is a big boost to Real Madrid’s chances. It’s no secret that Real have been linked heavily with Haaland over the past year and that Haaland favors Real personally. On paper, Los Merengues are in the driver’s seat due to their historical status, the legends who have come here, the reach of their fanbase, and the fact that succeeding at Real means an attacking player has reached a certain status.

Haaland is not a lock by any means, but Chelsea signing Lukaku is a sign that Haaland turned the Blues down to wait. And who is he waiting for? Probably Madrid. The financial situation in the Spanish capital should be better in the summer 2022 transfer window, and with a manageable fee to Dortmund, Los Blancos have the necessary capital to satisfy the demands of Haaland and his high-profile representation.