Chelsea have made Erling Haaland their top transfer target going into the summer but realise that it might not be possible. It has led them to look at alternatives but Inter Milan boss Antonio Conte will not be too impressed.
Chelsea have made Inter Milan star Romelu Lukaku their ‘Plan B’ striker going into the transfer window.
It comes as the Stamford Bridge supremos identify Borussia Dortmund ace Haaland as their top target.
But with a host of European sides also desperate to land the 20-year-old, the Blues realise that bringing the Norwegian goal-machine to west London might be impossible.
It has led Chelsea chiefs to look at signing Lukaku back to the club, according to the Telegraph - a move that would infuriate Conte.
Erling Haaland is Chelsea's top striker preference (Image: GETTY)
When the Italian was in charge at King’s Road, he told the board that he needed the Belgian at a time when Diego Costa had just had a major fallout with the manager.
Lukaku had just scored 25 Premier League goals for Everton and was the talk of the town with Manchester United also interested.
In the end, Alvaro Morata signed for Chelsea and Lukaku joined the Red Devils - with the Spaniard ultimately flopping with the Blues.
It was one of the contributing factors in Conte’s dismissal at the end of the following season, with the former Italy boss furious with the club board for failing to adhere to his transfer wishes.
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Chelsea will go for Romelu Lukaku if Erling Haaland is not signed (Image: GETTY)
“It was a pity that it didn’t happen and Romelu is showing with Inter that my idea was right and also Van Dijk has shown with Liverpool that my idea was right for the club.”
The idea that Chelsea could sign Lukaku will surely infuriate Conte after they denied him the chance to land him while he was in charge.
That does not even mention the fact that his former club would pinch the striker he has dreamed of working with for so long.
Inter’s financial situation could force them into a sale with teams around the world feeling the sting from the Covid pandemic.