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Lukaku’s 25 Premier League goals last season had him strongly linked with a return to Stamford Bridge as Costa’s replacement, but he now finds himself being courted not only by his former club, but by the very manager (now at United) who once deemed him surplus to requirements.
Until recently Mourinho’s top target was reportedly Real Madrid’s Alvaro Morata, but his growing frustration with Los Blancos forced him to turn his attention to Lukaku instead, and move ahead of the Blues in the race for the Belgian’s signature.
United and Chelsea have been strongly linked with the same trio of strikers this transfer window, and as United close in on Lukaku, Chelsea will be forced to turn to the remaining two options on their list: Morata and Torino striker Andrea Belotti.
Despite playing hardball with United, Madrid could still be eager to sell a player who is reportedly unhappy with his role in the team, and Conte is reportedly an admirer of the Spaniard since their time together at Juventus.
Bellotti has been linked with both English clubs, having impressed in Serie A last season with 26 goals from 35 league appearances. But along with potential arrivals, Chelsea are also busy completing the exit of Diego Costa, with his former club Atletico Madrid expected to make a bid to re-sign him.
Atleti had been preparing to sign Alexandre Lacazette from Lyon until their transfer ban scuppered that plan and saw the French striker join Arsenal instead. They will now have to get creative to complete Costa’s return, and are reportedly considering a short-term loan to China for the rest of the year.
With so many moving parts it will be interesting to see how the situation resolves itself, and who is playing up front for who when the 2017/18 season kicks off in August.