Chelsea have stepped up their pursuit of Romelu Lukaku, 23, with a £57m bid for the striker.
Everton rejected the initial approach and inspired by Napoli’s sale of Gonzalo Higuain, 28, are holding out for £75m.
It’s a remarkable turn of events for the Belgian international. Signed by the Toffees in 2014 for a club record fee of £28m from Chelsea after a year-long loan spell on Merseyside, he has scored 43 goals in 104 Premier League appearances.
Amid a welter of hype, the Blues had snared the then 18 year-old Lukaku from Anderlecht where he had established a reputation as one of Europe’s brightest talents. That spell at Stamford Bridge is the only failure in a career where he has consistently scored goals in the top flight.
This summer has seen much speculation over his future, fuelled by comments that he wanted to sign for a club which regularly played Champions League football.
Chelsea can’t offer that next season but with Antonio Conte at the helm, the prospects of a return to Europe’s top table are far better than those Everton can offer.
Reluctantly, the Everton board have agreed to let the striker leave but it will not be at any cost.
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