Antonio Conte’s Chelsea are still in with a chance of lifting yet another piece of silverware when they take on Arsenal in the FA Cup final this Sunday. But that has not stopped the manager from making plans for the next season. The Italian mastermind, who won the league in his first year in England, wants to add some top class stars to his squad this summer and one name that is constantly doing the rounds is Everton star Romelu Lukaku.
The Belgian international is one of the top three goal scorers in the Premier League this season but his desire to play in the Champions League regularly has seen him linked with an exit from the Goodison Park. Manchester United and Chelsea are desperate for his signature and though reports suggest he may yet stay at the club, both the English giants are doing what they can to lure him to the club.
According to English news outfit The Evening Standard, Chelsea have now stepped up their interest in the player and have made him their top transfer target, ahead of Real Madrid’s Alvaro Morata for the upcoming transfer window.
With 25 goals in the league, Lukaku has been in terrific form not just this season but in the last couple of campaigns as well. He is easily the best player for Everton and will be a huge loss but it is understood that he will not leave the club for less than a record transfer fee, which has been the stumbling block for Chelsea.
The Blues have Diego Costa as the prime striker but have little backup in the first team, with Michy Batshuayi still learning the game. Chelsea cannot go into a European campaign with just the two options and Conte has been looking at Andrea Belotti, Antoine Griezmann and Alvaro Morata for a move this summer.
Morata seemed to be the perfect choice for Chelsea and valued at just around £40m, he seemed destined for a move to the Bridge. However, it is understood that Conte has turned his attention towards Lukaku and is ready to meet the £100m valuation of the player who they let go for just £28m in 2014.
Lukaku is a target man with deadly finishing abilities and it is hard to see him sit on the bench to play second fiddle to Costa. It is also ridiculous for Chelsea to spend that money on a player to warm the bench. Chelsea should consider Lukaku only if they sell Diego Costa.
Morata, in this situation, is a better option as he can play as a support striker if needed and also on the wing, making him a more viable option in the first team. But do you think Chelsea will spend on Lukaku?
