Just in: Marina told to pay extra £17m to land top target, as personal terms already agreed
According to reports, Chelsea appear close to reaching an agreement to sign Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku.
The Blues have earmarked him as their prime striker target, and they are in negotiations with Inter.
They recently offered £85 million for the striker with Marcos Alonso acting as a makeweight. However, the proposal was rejected by the Serie A champions, who prefer a straight-cash deal.
The Nerazzurri are expected to sell Lukaku to Chelsea if they pay another £17m (£102m overall).
Earlier this summer, Lukaku said that he was not planning to leave the Nerazzurri anytime soon.
However, his stance has changed after learning that the Blues want to re-sign him.
The 28-year-old believes he has unfinished business at the Champions League holders.
He has already agreed personal terms over a long-term contract worth £250,000-a-week.
Ideally, the Blues may want him to play in the Premier League curtain-raiser next weekend.
With the way talks are progressing, there is a realistic chance of that happening.
Lukaku would boost the club’s goalscoring exploits, having misfired in the final third last term. He has vast Premier League experience that should come in handy in making an instant impact.