Serie A giants considering young Chelsea striker.
Check in to Chelsea vs Everton
Young Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku could be subject to a bid from Serie A champions Juventus this summer, after his future at Stamford Bridge remains uncertain.
The 19-year-old Belgian has impressed during his time on loan at fellow Premier League side West Brom this season, scoring 14 league goals at the Hawthorns, but remains out of the picture at Chelsea.
The strong and pacey striker, often compared to Chelsea legend Didier Drogba, arrived at the club last season as one of the biggest prospects in European football, joining from Belgian side Anderlecht for around £17million, but failed to break into the first team under either Andre Villas-Boas or Roberto Di Matteo.
Lukaku was sent to West Brom for first team experience, and has really shone under Baggies manager Steve Clarke, though the club do not hold out much hope of keeping him permanently.
Swansea City had also been linked with the striker, though these rumours were quickly rubbished, and it now seems Juventus are Lukaku’s main suitors, as they search for additions to their strike force in this summer’s transfer window.
The Turin side won their second Serie A title in a row this season, but are looking to strengthen their team in several areas, particularly upfront, as they hope to progress further in the Champions League next year.
Despite their domestic success, Juve are not the strongest team upfront, and may look to make changes in that area this summer. Nicklas Bendtner, on loan from Arsenal, is not expected to be kept on a permanent basis due to his failing to impress, and Montenegro striker Mirko Vucinic is supposedly a target for Manchester United, with Juve willing to sell the former Roma man.
Antonio Conte’s side had been linked with the likes of Fiorentina forward Stevan Jovetic, though he seems to favour a move to the Premier League with Arsenal, and Manchester City’s Edin Dzeko, though it looks increasingly likely that the Bosnian target man will be used as part of a swap deal with Napoli to bring Edinson Cavani to the Etihad Stadium.
Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Higuain has also been mentioned as a target, though it now seems Juventus are keen to invest in a young talent like Lukaku to lead their front line for years to come. The Chelsea starlet had been linked with Juventus, as well as many other clubs, before he moved to Stamford Bridge, and he may now see a move to Italy as the best way of progressing in his career.
He may not be the only departure from the West London club this summer, with a clear-out of the club’s squad players expected to take place. Yossi Benayoun has already announced his intention to leave for a challenge elsewhere, and Victor Moses is being linked with Swansea City.