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While Chelsea took on Stoke City, Everton were cruising past Hull City in a meeting at Goodison Park. At their home ground, the Toffees won 4-0, largely thanks to two goals and one assist from Romelu Lukaku, who raised his league-leading tally to 21 (on top of 6 assists). The two goals from Lukaku also sawhim break another PL record by becoming the fourth player to score 80+ goals in the competition before turning 24.
However, Lukaku's days at Everton seem to be numbered and with that, clubs are already gathering around looking for an opportunity to make a move for the striker. And according to a report from the Daily Mail, Chelsea are currently in the lead for Lukaku's signature.
Although Everton remain hopeful that Lukaku could still sign an extension to his current deal despite his announcement last week, that vague hope is unlikely to deter the Belgian’s potential suitors. Alongside Chelsea, Premier League rivals Manchester United and French outfits Paris Saint-Germain are also in the race.
In Chelsea's case, Lukaku is regarded as a "major building block" for the team in light of the risk of losing current first-choice striker Diego Costa to Chinese football. A return to Atlético Madrid could also be a possibility if the Spanish side manages to get a favourable result from their hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport to overturn the imposed FIFA transfer ban next month.
But even if Diego stays at Chelsea, a move for Lukaku might still be in the cards. The Mail reports that the Blues want Diego to stay, and are willing to offer him a new deal if the veteran striker shows himself willing to renew his link with the club. But that would, apparently, have no effect on the club’s attempt to bring in another big-name forward.
Though moving for Lukaku while keeping Diego at the club might seen like an odd choice, there is always the possibility that Chelsea use a two-strike shape for the upcoming season, whether 4-2-4 or 3-5-2. No matter how Antonio Conte draws it up, it seems that Emenalo, Granovskaia and co. will be doing their utmost to unite Chelsea with Lukaku once again.