Chelsea have initiated contact with Everton striker Romelu Lukaku as they look to take the Belgian back to Stamford Bridge in the summer.

With Diego Costa expected to leave for China in the summer, Chelsea have identified their former striker as the man who could be replacing the Spain international at Stamford Bridge.




Lukaku has been heavily linked with a move back to Chelsea in the next transfer window and it has been claimed that the Blues have taken the first concrete steps towards a deal.

According to Sky Italia, the Premier League champions have touched base with Lukaku and his representatives over a transfer back to west London and the Belgian is receptive to the idea.
 


It has been claimed that Lukaku has already expressed his desire to return to Chelsea to compatriot Thibaut Courtois and it seems the Blues are also willing to take him back.  

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The west Londoners are keen to sort out a deal with the player first but are also expected to open talks with Everton in the near future to reach an agreement over a fee.

Lukaku has refused to sign a contract extension with the club and Everton are expected to demand a fee of around £70m for a player who still has two years left on his current deal.

Manchester United also retain an interest in the Belgian and it remains to be seen whether Jose Mourinho looks to thrown a spanner in his former employer’s plans to sign Lukaku in the summer.