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Arsenal are readying a bid for Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku as Gunners boss Arsene Wenger looks to move swiftly following comments made by the Belgian international.
CaughtOffside understands that Wenger is keen to bring in the 21 year old Blues forward and is ready to meet the west London side’s reported £25m price-tag.
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Wenger has long been tracking Lukaku, his interest dating back to his spell at Anderlecht, and will now register an offer for the Chelsea man ahead of the World Cup finals with Stamford Bridge manager Jose Mourinho being open to selling the youngster to the highest bidder regardless of whether that bidder happens to be a Premier League rival.
Mourinho sold Juan Mata to Man United in January and is keen to partially cover the cost of any summer signings with funds accrued from player sales so as to effectively adhere to UEFA’s FFP (Financial Fair Play) guidelines.
Lukaku is today quoted as saying of his Chelsea future;
“You know Chelsea: every year they buy a new top striker,”
“I remember me coming into the dressing room last year and seeing Samuel Eto’o and Demba Ba and going: ‘Whoah! What’s happening here?’ But no problem. Many clubs are interested in me.” added Lukaku
“At this stage I have to look to myself. I have to play a good World Cup. That’s very interesting for all the players looking for a transfer, and I must be one of them. Chelsea know my point of view.”
Arsene Wenger wants to bring in further striking options and a move for Lukaku not only offers some much needed support for first choice starter Olivier Giroud, perhaps even being more than able to displace the Frenchman, but a bid for the Chelsea man would also adhere to his youthful transfer policy.
Romelu Lukaku has more than proven himself at Premier League level, scoring 17 goals during his loan spell at West Brom in 2012/13 before another successful temporary switch at Everton where his displays helped the Toffees to mount a genuine push for a top four finish under boss Roberto Martinez.
Indeed two of his 16 goals for Everton last term came against Arsenal, further fueling Wenger’s interest in the powerful marksman.
Wenger is confident that Lukaku would jump at the chance of a move from west to north London and has been given the go ahead from his board to make an opening offer for the Chelsea man in the coming days.
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