Chelsea Transfer News: Latest on Romelu Lukaku and Paul Pogba Rumours

Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly ready to launch a bid for Everton striker Romelu Lukaku, who has been strongly linked with a return to Chelsea.

According to Neil Fissler of the Sunday Express, the French giants are considering a whopping £60 million move for the Belgium international striker as they seek to find a replacement for talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic. It’s suggested Lukaku would return to Stamford Bridge if given the opportunity.

Ibrahimovic will be a tough man to replace in the French capital, having steered the team to numerous honours, so it’d be little surprise if the club were willing to spend big to bring in his replacement. Lukaku, still only 23, certainly has the potential to fill the void in the long term.

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He netted 18 times in the Premier League last season in what was a poor Everton team. Along the way, the ex-Chelsea man turned in some outstanding performances—the best perhaps coming against the Blues in the FA Cup, when he netted this stunning goal:

Still, there are reasons why PSG and Chelsea should be wary of spending big on the striker this summer. As noted by ESPN FC’s Luke O’Farrell, there are still holes in the Belgian’s game that need to be addressed:

Over time, some rough edges in the youngster’s game will inevitably be smoothed, a process that’d be aided by playing alongside a higher quality of player. But others, such as his first touch, are inherent qualities that often can’t be tailored.

Even so, Lukaku is a proven goalscorer in the Premier League and the kind of dynamic presence who could add something different to Chelsea’s attacking play. PSG’s rumoured interest should trigger the Blues into action if they’re desperate to bring him back to the Bridge, however.

Chelsea to Rival City for Pogba

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Chelsea are reportedly ready to go toe-to-toe with Manchester City in pursuit of Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba this summer.

Rob Pollard of the Manchester Evening News has stated incoming City boss Pep Guardiola is keen on the outstanding France international, who has grown into one of the best players in the world during his time at Juventus. But it’s also suggested the Blues want to land the 23-year-old too.

“Reports suggest Pogba has privately accepted it is time to leave the Serie A champions in order to continue his development, despite him publicly committing his future to the club,” added Pollard. “Chelsea are believed to be in dialogue with the Frenchman, with new boss Antonio Conte placing him top of his list of transfer priorities.”

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Pogba was at the heart of another title win for the Bianconeri last term, making it five in succession for the club. Here is a look at some of his best moments from the campaign:

For Chelsea, getting the former Manchester United man through the door would be a major coup. After all, having won so much and performed so well with Juventus, the Frenchman is in a position where he could move to any club of his choosing in world football.

However, while Pollard suggested Pogba has decided the time is right to move on, Bleacher Report’s Gianni Verschueren isn’t so sure:

The Italian champions will be desperate to keep him too. They’ll be delighted with their domestic domination, but the challenge for Massimiliano Allegri’s team will be to push on in European competition. Losing Pogba would be a major setback in pursuit of possible UEFA Champions League glory next term.

By contrast, Chelsea don’t have European football of any kind to offer in 2016-17. Therefore, if Pogba were to depart Turin, it’d be a huge surprise to see him head to Stamford Bridge.