Chelsea want to re-sign Romelu Lukaku after the Belgian told friends he wants to return to Stamford Bridge in the summer.
Romelu Lukaku is set to be one of the stories of the summer transfer window. The striker is looking increasingly likely to leave Everton, and has already told friends that he would like a return to former club Chelsea, according to The Sun.
Lukaku has a £100 million price tag on his head thanks to his current club, but that will not put off Chelsea when the summer transfer window opens. The Blues are keen to re-sign their former player, but will face a number of obstacles along the way.
The competition will be high for Lukaku’s signature, with Manchester United a club also interested. Everton would prefer to sell Lukaku to United after a nasty transfer war with Chelsea over John Stones two years ago.
Chelsea ultimately failed in their attempts to sign Stones, with Everton unhappy at what they perceived as the Blues trying to unsettle their young defender. The saga left the Toffees opposed to doing business with Chelsea, and that feeling is still in effect in 2017.
More from The Top Flight
- Barcelona identify Newcastle star as Robert Lewandowski replacement
- Arsenal injury news: Mikel Arteta confirms “rapid” attacker suffered injury
- “600 days” Fans make SHOCK Chelsea revelation – They really are poor
- Arsenal transfer news: Mikel Arteta rivals Manchester United for wonderkid
- Manchester United: Erik ten Hag pinpoints 4 players amid Brighton loss
Everton may rather Lukaku join United, but it seems the player prefers to re-join Chelsea. During Lukaku’s first spell at Stamford Bridge, Jose Mourinho was the manager and never gave Lukaku an opportunity to fully prove himself.
Mourinho is now in charge of United and that could also work against the Old Trafford club. It all adds up to being yet another long, drawn-out summer transfer battle. Not just between vying clubs, but also between the player and his current club.
Chelsea need to sign Lukaku with concerns hanging over the head of Diego Costa. If Costa was to move on, then Lukaku would be the perfect replacement. The Belgian can play upfront on his own, is proven in the Premier League and still has his best years ahead of him at just 23 years of age.
There’s also unfinished business at Stamford Bridge for Lukaku, who no doubt sees it as a challenge to return and show everybody that he is good enough to be the main man for team gunning for the Premier League and Champions League.
Next: United loss the first true crack in Chelsea title bid
Lukaku is the current Premier League top scorer on 24 goals. Costa currently has 17, as does United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovich. Lukaku would be an ideal potential signing for either club. However, it seems the Belgian favors a move back to Chelsea, even if his current club do not.