Roma 'could offer up Abraham to Chelsea in a SWAP deal for loanee Lukaku'

Tammy Abraham could make a sensational return to Chelsea after three years at Roma as part of a swap deal for loanee Romelu Lukaku, according to reports.

The academy star moved to the Eternal City following the appointment of former Chelsea head coach Jose Mourinho, and quickly flourished away from Stamford Bridge.

Abraham was instrumental in Roma's inaugural Europa Conference League victory, and became the first English player to score more than 10 goals in a single Serie A season for over 30 years.

His second season was slightly more uneven, and the 25-year-old had a disastrous end to his campaign as he picked up a tear in his anterior cruciate ligament on the final matchday of the season.

Following a tumultuous transfer window that saw potential loan moves to Inter Milan and Juventus fall through, Lukaku was drafted in to provide cover in the Englishman's absence.

But as per Calcio Mercato, should the Belgian striker continue in his rich vein of form, it could be Abraham who returns to west London at the season's end.

The 30-year-old has had a blistering start to his time in the capital, scoring three goals in four appearances, including the winner in Roma's 2-1 victory over Sheriff Tiraspol in their Europa League opener.

Reunited with his former Manchester United boss, Lukaku has quickly forged a successful partnership with Paulo Dyabala and looks to have cemented his place in the starting line-up.

Should Lukaku continue to impress in a demonstration of the form that hooked him a then-record-breaking £97.5million move to Chelsea in 2021, Roma's owners the Friedkins will be keen to tie both the striker and Mourinho - whose contract expires at the end of the season - to longer term deals.

The goal is thought to be a place in the Champions League draw for next season, having climbed successfully through the ranks of UEFA's other major competitions.

At present, Roma sit 13th in the Serie A table after a rocky start to the season.

Abraham would likely find himself out of favour, and Roma are said to be keen to use the former Chelsea player as a bargainning chip in getting any permanent move for Lukaku over the line.

But the player should be able to scrap for his place in Mourinho's starting line-up from late November or early December, based on a tentative recovery timetable for his injured ACL.

Success could either force Roma to scrap the idea, or heighten Chelsea's desire for their former player.

Ex-director Marina Granovskaia inserted a £69.4m buy-back clause in Abraham's contract upon his departure from Chelsea, which could in turn help any potential deal cross the line.

Despite spending close to £1bn on players during their last three transfer windows, Chelsea are thought to be preparing to enter the market and make a serious move for Brentford striker Ivan Toney in January.

The Bees player has been sidelined due to breaching the FA's betting regulations, but will be cleared to return to action in January 14.

When asked in April about whether he could imagine a return to his boyhood club, Abraham claimed he couldn't rule it out.

‘Never say never in football,' the Champions League winner said. 'Right now, my focus is on Roma - I’ve no other plans.

'Maybe I’ll stay at Roma for the next ten years, maybe not. You never know.’