Chelsea have chosen to prioritise the signing of Romelu Lukaku from Everton over Real Madrid’s Alvaro Morata, reports the London Evening Standard.
Everton’s Belgian striker has refused to sign a new deal at Goodison Park, making it likely he’ll leave Merseyside this summer.
Antonio Conte may have just watched his side cruise to the Premier League title, but he is still keen to sign a top striker, particularly as uncertainty continues surrounding the future of Diego Costa.
On paper, Lukaku is a more attractive proposition than Morata, having scored 25 league goals to the Spaniard’s 15 – though it has to be acknowledged that the former is his club’s main striker, whereas Morata has found his opportunities limited at the Bernabeu.
Nonetheless, it is not even Lukaku’s goal tally that has influenced Chelsea’s decision to make him their number one target.
The 23-year-old moved to Stamford Bridge at the age of 18 from Anderlecht and he therefore qualifies as a homegrown player.
Everton are holding out for £100million, but if the striker wants to leave, Chelsea will be confident of bringing that fee down by at least £30million.
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