Chelsea transfer news: Gonzalo Higuain, Alvaro Morata and Romelu Lukaku on three-man 'striker shortlist'
Antonio Conte, the incoming Chelsea manager, is hoping to secure the services of an elite striker
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Your support makes all the difference.Chelsea have identified three elite strikers who could spearhead Antonio Conte’s attack next season, according to reports.
Gonzalo Higuain, Alvaro Morata and Romelu Lukaku are all summer transfer targets, according to the Daily Mail, as several of the club’s current forwards are expected to leave Stamford Bridge in the coming months.
Higuain, who has also been linked with Arsenal, is being targeted off the back of a record-breaking season with Napoli, having scored 36 goals in 35 league matches – the most of any player in a single Serie A season.
Morata, meanwhile, is expected to leave Juventus in one of the most elaborate transfers of recent years, with his former club Real Madrid planning to use a £25million buy-back clause and then sell the striker on for a profit.
Lukaku goes into the summer having enjoyed the best season of his career, with 25 goals across all competitions. The Belgium international is valued at £65million by Everton, who are reluctant to let go of a player they see as integral to their plans.
The 23-year-old striker arrived on Merseyside from Chelsea, where he made 15 appearances over the course of three seasons and spent much of his time on loan. Lukaku has repeatedly stated his desire to move to a top side, but, following their dismal defence of their Premier League title, the west London club will be unable to offer him Champions League football.
Meanwhile, speculation continues to surround the future of Diego Costa, as the controversial striker is believed to be keen on a return to Spain and Atletico Madrid. Loic Remy is also expected to move on in the coming months, having rarely featured since rejecting a move to Leicester City in January.
Radamel Falcao, who scored once in a mere 11 appearances for the club this season, will also depart and return to Monaco when his miserable, injury-hit loan spell comes to an end.
Conte, the incoming Chelsea manager, will assume control following his stewardship of Italy’s European Championships campaign in France this summer.
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