Antonio Conte is desperate for Chelsea to win the race to sign Romelu Lukaku – even if it means breaking the transfer record by meeting Everton’s £100million valuation.
Lukaku enjoyed another stellar campaign at Goodison Park but is set to leave the Toffees after refusing to sign a new contract.
Manchester United expressed interest in the Belgian talisman earlier in the summer but Jose Mourinho is focussing on a move for Alvaro Morata, while Lukaku would prefer to return to Stamford Bridge.
Having told Diego Costa that he did not have a future at the club, Conte is determined to secure Lukaku, who he believes can justify his immense price-tag with the Premier League champions.
The Daily Telegraph say Conte, 47, has told the Chelsea board to do whatever it takes to bring him to west London as he sees Lukaku as a perfect fit for his favoured system.
Everton, knowing Chelsea will sign a striker in the coming months with Costa heading out the exit door, value Lukaku at £100m but Conte will refuse to back down even if it takes a record transfer fee to finally clinch the deal.
As well as targeting 24-year-old Lukaku, Conte also hopes to finalise deals to bring Antonio Rudiger and Tiemoue Bakayoko to west London.
Germany defender Rudiger appears on the verge of a £33m switch to the English champions while Bakayoko is expected to join from Monaco, potentially leading to Nemanja Matic’s move to Manchester United.
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