Friday, May 06, 2011

Liverpool Target Romelu Lukaku Looks Set To Join Chelsea

Anderlecht has reportedly opened negotiations over a summer deal that will see 17-year-old strike sensation Romelu Lukaku join Chelsea according to the Metro.

The heavily coveted Belgian star has been linked with a number of Barclays Premier League clubs, with Chelsea likely to face competition for his signature from Liverpool.

But Belgian sources now claim that Anderlecht general manager Herman Van Holsbeeck has made regular trips to London in the past couple of weeks, to try and wrap up an agreement for Lukaku to move to Stamford Bridge.

Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti has been tasked by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich with revamping his squad with a series of new signings.

An emphasis has been placed on up-and-coming talent, to freshen up an ageing first-team, with Lukaku earmarked as Chelsea’s number one summer target.

The Blues spent big in January when they moved for Fernando Torres and David Luiz, in a combined fee which exceeded £70million.

And the spending looks set to continue as Chelsea look to attract some of the greatest talent Europe has to offer.

It is believed that Anderlecht will be willing to sell Lukaku to Chelsea for £15million, providing they can themselves secure the signing of highly rated Genk winger Kevin Du Bruyne – another reported Blues target.

As part of an increasingly complex deal, Chelsea will be given first option to buy the 19-year-old Du Bruyne once he sees out the initial deal on offer to him in three years time.

Following the arrival of Kenny Dalglish as manager at Anfield in January, the Daily Mirror reported that Liverpool made contact with Anderlecht over a potential £20 million move.

Damien Comolli, director of football at Liverpool, was behind the Reds' pursuit of the player at the turn of the year, and will again be instrumental in attempting to lure the player to Anfield over Stamford Bridge.

Fenway Sports Group, the club's owners, proved they are willing to back the club financially in the transfer market, and could be called upon again to bring one of the brightest young talents in world football to Liverpool and continue the club's growing policy of developing young talent.

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