Chelsea transfer news: Everton 'reject £57m Blues bid' for forward Romelu Lukaku

The Toffees are reportedly demanding a club-record £75m for the 23-year-old

Romelu Lukaku on duty for Belgium at Euro 2016 (Getty)

Chelsea have reportedly had a £57m bid for Romelu Lukaku rejected by Everton as they continue to pursue the Belgium forward.

The Toffees are demanding a club-record £75m for the 23-year-old who has already been subject to a number of bids from the Blues.

Despite their best efforts to hold onto the forward, Everton have finally accepted that Lukaku is determined to leave Goodison Park for Stamford Bridge, according to the Daily Mirror.

The striker has made it clear that he wants a move away from Merseyside in favour of the promise of Champions League football.

Lukaku told Sky Sports that the Champions League is “the next step” for him.

"That is the next step for me. I'm 23 next summer and I think it would be nice to play in the Champions League from next season,” he said.

Further to this, he has specifically outlined his desire to return to Stamford Bridge, openly stating that he has “unfinished business” at the Blues.

Chelsea’s bid for the striker is more than double the £28m they received for him when he moved to Everton in the summer of 2014.

Since making the switch, Lukaku has gone on to enjoy two prolific seasons with the club and netted 25 goals in 46 games last season.

His form has caught the eye of Blues boss Antonio Conte who is looking to add further firepower to his frontline having already brought in Michy Batshuayi from Marseille for £33m.

But Conte may have to break the bank if he intends to land his man. The fee Everton are demanding for Lukaku falls just shy of the recent £78m deal which saw Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain join Serie A champions Juventus this past week.

New Toffees manager Ronald Koeman had been confident of persuading Lukaku to stay but it’s believed the Dutchman is now searching for alternatives in case the Blues return with a better offer.