26-Goal Striker Set For £80m Chelsea Move After Snubbing Man Utd Enquiry

Managers are now pressing ahead with their plans for the summer transfer window so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip from around the globe. Today, Romelu Lukaku has decided to join Chelsea….

Romelu Lukaku has decided to join Chelsea and is set to move back to Stamford Bridge in an £80m deal after snubbing interest from Manchester United, according to the Independent.

Lukaku has just come off the back of an excellent season with Everton that saw him enhance his reputation as one of the best strikers in the Premier League after scoring 26 goals in all competitions.

The 24-year-old has attracted interest from several top clubs and while Chelsea were touted as the early front-runners, the Daily Star reported last week that Manchester United were also keen to land the striker.

Jose Mourinho is in the market for a new number 9 after losing Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the newspaper suggested the United boss had turned his attention to Lukaku after missing out on Antoine Griezmann.

However, it looks like United will have to move on to alternative targets as the Independent are one of several media outlets reporting that Lukaku has decided he wants to join Chelsea this summer.

The newspaper says that United lodged a formal enquiry for the Belgian international last week but were told he was set to join Chelsea and that a deal was now extremely close to completion.

Lukaku dropped a huge hint that his future would be resolved soon after telling reporters on Monday that he had decided on what club he wanted to join. He’s quoted as saying by the Independent:

“I know what’s happening, but I can’t tell you anything more. I know what’s happening. I know what’s happening, but I will leave the talks to my agent.”

“The most important thing is: I want to win trophies. We are now talking to the club. As for the rest… I’m looking ahead. What I would like most to play in the Champions League and try to win the Premier League once. Or better: a few times. That would be the most beautiful thing.

“That’s important for my progress as a player. I don’t want to stay at the same level. I want to improve and I know where I want to do that. We’ll see what happens.”

Lukaku’s future at Goodison Park was plunged in to doubt after he rejected the chance to sign a new deal at the end of last season and the Independent say he will now double his current £80,000-a-week wages when he re-joins Chelsea.

The Belgian hitman endured a frustrating first spell at Stamford Bridge after joining Chelsea from Anderlecht in 2011 but the striker has developed hugely as a player since joining Everton.

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The Independent claim that while the Toffees were demanding £100m for Lukaku’s signature a deal is expected to be agreed at nearer £80m with sources at Everton, Chelsea and United all informing the paper that the striker is almost certain to re-join Chelsea this summer.

We’ll have to wait and see how things develop over the coming days but it looks as though Antonio Conte is about to sign a new front-man as he begins to strengthen his squad ahead of Chelsea’s return to the Champions League.