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There is a lot of talk today that Chelsea have turned their sights on Romelu Lukaku now and are willing to offer Everton £50 million to pull him away. Now we all know by now how Lukaku still has feelings for Chelsea and his desire to play in European games, but that just doesn’t fit this transfer window with Chelsea failing to qualify for the Europa League this past season, much less the Champions League.
The Stamford Bridge club already signed striker Michy Batshuayi during this transfer window, and still have Diego Costa. New manager Antonio Conte has always played two-striker formations and adding Lukaku would add depth to his options. However, quite why Lukaku wants to go back into a situation where he is not starting every game, when that was his main reason for leaving, makes little sense.
All that said if this bid is true then I’m still afraid it will turn his head and might make Ronald Koeman have a hard time keeping him from wanting the move. After an uninspiring Euro 2016 tournament, Lukaku has been fairly resigned to spending another year with Everton and give Koeman an elite striker up front, but this interest from Chelsea will test his resolve and willingness to follow through on that.
The media have reported that Chelsea have had two offers rejected for Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata, the first for £50m and second for £62.5m. This explains why they are now being linked with Lukaku again.
In the end I’m going to lean towards this being a bid Chelsea doesn’t actually offer and it’s more talk than anything. That said it still might be enough to affect Lukaku and how he responds will play a big role in his performances this season.