Chelsea ready to sell Lukaku in order to land Everton gem
Published:The fact that Chelsea don’t seem to rate Romelu Lukaku while remaining happy to let Fernando Torres blunder his way through a career at Stamford Bridge is baffling to the footballing world.
That doesn’t mean Roman Abramovich’s club aren’t acutely aware just how in demand the big Belgian striker would be should they publicise the player’s availability, though.
Currently on loan at Everton, who are 3/4 to beat Fulham and maintain their 4/1-rated push for a Champions League spot, Lukaku has scored 12 goals in 21 top-flight starts.
That return backs up the 17 he netted for West Brom when they borrowed him off the Blues last term, making him a sought after commodity in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Should the Merseyside outfit be successful in their pursuit of fourth place, then they would surely jump to the front of any queue forming for the former Anderlecht front man’s signature.
If that happens, then Chelsea are ready to pick the Toffees’ pockets for one of their most promising rising stars.
Alongside Lukaku, Ross Barkley’s performances this season have propelled the Goodison Park side to the cusp of European football, while carving out a 1/2-rated chance of making Roy Hodgson’s World Cup squad in the process.
That’s caught the eye of Jose Mourinho, whose dealings in the transfer market at Stamford Bridge indicate the Portuguese is trying to reduce the average age of his squad.
With that in mind, the Special One will only allow Lukaku to make his Everton deal permanent should Barkley move to London in return, according to reports.
At 20 years old, Barkley is seen as the natural successor to Frank Lampard in the middle of Chelsea’s park and, having scored five times this term, is showing early signs he’s up to the task.
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