Chelsea 'ready to renew Romelu Lukaku interest' after Everton striker turns down contract extension
The Belgium international was '99.9999%' certain to extend his Everton contract, but has performed a sudden U-turn to throw his future into doubt
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Chelsea are ready to take advantage of Romelu Lukaku’s decision to reject Everton’s contract extension offer by launching a summer move for their former striker, three years after allowing him to leave because Jose Mourinho did not deem him good enough for his first team.
News emerged late on Tuesday night that Lukaku had rejected the contract that he was “99.9999 per cent” sure to sign, according to his agent, Mino Raiola, in quotes given last month.
The rejection is a major blow to Everton’s hopes of keeping the Belgium international, having previously thought that their determination to break into the top four and willingness to spend in the transfer market – as demonstrated by the £22m signing of Morgan Schneiderlin – had convinced him to extend his stay at Goodison Park beyond this summer.
Lukaku could yet agree a new deal, with reports suggesting that he will now demand that a release clause of no more than £70m is inserted into the £140,000-a-week, five-year deal that he was poised to sign.
But The Mirror reports that Chelsea are ready to reignite their interest in the 23-year-old, having already seen a £57m bid rejected last summer, with the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus and Real Madrid also monitoring the situation surrounding the current Premier League top goalscorer – level on 19 goals with Tottenham’s Harry Kane.
Manchester United are also being linked with a move for Lukaku, although the Belgian wasn’t in Jose Mourinho’s summer transfer plans due to the belief that he would remain with the Toffees for at least another year.
Lukaku has said that he has “unfinished business” at Chelsea, and has also repeatedly expressed his desire to play in the Champions League sooner rather than later. In all likeliness, Everton cannot offer Champions League football next season, whereas Chelsea can confirm their return to the competition in as little as six league games’ time following a season absence.
United may be able to capitalise though on their relationship with Lukaku’s agent, Raiola, given he helped structure the transfers last summer of Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments