Chelsea Transfer News: Selling Romelu Lukaku This Summer Would Be Blues Blunder

Romelu Lukaku is at a crossroads in his Chelsea career, facing the prospect of either leaving the club for new pastures this summer or staying his course in a bid to fashion a bright future with the club. 

To date, the 21-year-old has made just 15 appearances for the Blues since completing a 2011 move from Anderlecht, per Soccerbase, and the Liverpool Echo's Chris Beesley claims that Everton are interested in his services again, this time on a permanent basis.

Scott Heppell/Associated Press

Having previously impressed while on loan at Goodison Park and the Hawthorns, Lukaku will have undoubtedly attracted the attention of other European suitors, but the Toffees have an edge in having already established a bond with last season's loan star.

That being said, Chelsea assistant first-team coach Steve Holland has told Sky Sports that there are no plans for Lukaku to leave Stamford Bridge this summer: "The plan is that he will join up with us at some stage during the second week when we are in Holland. That’s the situation as I understand it."

Lukaku hasn't yet begun his pre-season preparations after featuring for Belgium at the 2014 World Cup, where his signature's stock will have taken a dip after a series of lacklustre outings.

With Christian Benteke absent through injury, it was instead substitute Divock Origi of Lille who looked the more capable striking presence for Marc Wilmots' side at times, to which Michael Owen can attest:

As such, selling their striker now would be akin to Chelsea putting their house up for sale when the economy's at its most depressing; it's a buyer's market.

Admittedly, the youngster would have to be content with competing for the place of second fiddle. Chelsea haven't spent £32 million on Diego Costa without the intent of perching him right at the top of their assault.

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However, Jose Mourinho may yet be willing to try out his emerging talent in larger doses than some expect, and Lukaku has shown in recent years that he can be an asset more terrifying than Samuel Eto'o and Demba Ba, both now moved on from west London.

At present, Everton would appear to be at the forefront of the race for Lukaku's loyalties should he leave, but Nik Postinger of We Play says that Juventus are also in pursuit:

Being that Chelsea aren't in a dire state financially, the club would be wise to hang onto the most promising centre-forward figure they possess and at the very least attempt to push his price up with the intent to make a larger profit in the future.

For now, though, this would appear the most viable chance at Chelsea prominence Lukaku has ever and could ever receive. The London giants should allow him to embrace it lest they look back in years to come and regret their mistake.