Chelsea transfer news: Romelu Lukaku could return to Stamford Bridge in summer if Diego Costa leaves
The Premier League leaders are also tracking Alvaro Morata and Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez as Costa is set to stay this month
CHELSEA are set to revive their interest in Romelu Lukaku, if Diego Costa leaves next summer.
Lukaku who left Stamford Bridge in 2014 due to a lack of first opportunities under former boss Jose Mourinho is on a list potential replacements if Costa does depart at the end of the season.
Blues boss Antonio Conte tried to bring Lukaku back to Stamford Bridge last summer as the Belgian striker claimed he had "unfinished business" at the club.
Lukaku has scored 18 goals for the Toffees this season is close to signing a new deal at Goodison Park, and according to his agent Mino Raiola, regardless of a new deal being signed,the striker could still leave Merseyside in the summer.
Costa, who has not featured for Chelsea since the defeat to Spurs at the turn of the year, is back training with the first team and available to face Hull this weekend following a training ground bust up with boss Conte.
Ambitious Chinese Super League outfit Tianjin Quanjian looking to sign Costa this month, have stated Blues owner Roman Abramovich has told them he will only discuss the sale of the Spanish international at the end of the season.
Tianjin owner Shu Yuhul confirmed he met Costa’s agent, Jorge Mendes and the moneybags Chinese side also targeted Paris Saint-Germain’s Edison Cavani, Karim Benzema of Real Madrid and Monaco’s Radamel Falcao.
Shu said:“I made an appointment with Mendes, and he came to my hometown to visit me, at that time, we were interested in signing Costa.
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PSG told us Cavani would only be allowed to leave in June, even though the player himself was willing to join us."
The same can be said for Costa, because Chelsea would only let him leave in June, however, the new season of CSL will almost reach the halfway stage in June, we can't wait that long.” Shu added.
According to the Mirror, Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez is also on Conte's radar if Costa departs, a potential move to send shock waves around the Premier League
The Chilean who will enter the final year of his contract in the summer if a new deal is not agreed and the west Londoners are taking more than a passing interest in the stand off between the two parties.
If there is any indication Sanchez does not intent to extend his stay in North London, then Chelsea could pounce with Arsenal's position significantly weakened.
Real Madrid's Alvaro Morata, a striker Chelsea made unsuccessful bids for in the last window, is also on the Stamford Bridge short-list.