Chelsea Transfer News: Nicolae Stanciu Monitored Amid Romelu Lukaku Rumours

Chelsea have reportedly been keeping an eye on Steaua Bucharest midfielder Nicolae Stanciu with a view to a possible £6 million deal.

That’s according to Darren Lewis of the Daily Mirror, who has reported the Blues have been watching the versatile 23-year-old, who can play on either flank and off the centre-forward. He’s been in brilliant goalscoring form lately and bagged a brace to help his side progress in their Champions League qualification tie against Sparta Prague this week.

Last term was a successful one for the Romania international, as he helped himself to 14 goals and 11 assists in total. Here is a look at why he’s rated so highly:

While Stanciu wouldn’t represent the illustrious signing Blues fans crave, it’s important for the club to have contingency plans.

Indeed, in a different article, Lewis has reported that Chelsea are set to be met with stiff resistance from Everton in their pursuit of striker Romelu Lukaku. The Belgium international is reportedly valued at £75 million by the Toffees and has been offered a bumper new contract worth £135,000-a-week.

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Although they are different types of players, it seems Blues boss Antonio Conte is intent on adding some quality to his attacking options. Stanciu, although not particularly high-profile, certainly has an edge to his play in the final third.

Indeed, as noted by Michael Cox of Zonal Marking, the Romania national team has been built around his creative skills:

Given some of the valuations placed on players this summer, Chelsea may see a reported £6 million fee for Stanciu as good business.

He’s not a player that’d be ready to compete with the likes of Eden Hazard or Willian quite yet, but there is plenty to admire about the manner in which the Steaua man plays the game. Not only is he versatile, Stanciu finds space with ease, can manage the tempo of his team’s attacks and is able to swing matches with his contributions in the final third.

Indeed, in pre-season, the Blues have looked a little short despite the captures of Michy Batshuayi and N’Golo Kante. Journalist Dan Levene thinks Conte needs to add more quality:

Lukaku would be a significant statement. Having sold the striker to Everton for £28 million in 2014, the former Anderlecht star has matured and improved as a player, netting 18 goals for a struggling side in the Premier League last term.

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Conte is a manager that’s always utilised a two-striker system, and currently, he’s not awash with options to play in those spots; Batshuayi, Diego Costa and the injury-prone Loic Remy are currently battling for starting berths.

Lukaku would inject pace, power and a nose for goals into the front line if Chelsea were able to get hold of him before the window shuts. However, as noted by the Daily Mail’s Ell Bretland, what would be a gain for Chelsea would be a massive loss to Everton:

When you consider Arouna Kone and Oumar Niasse, who wasn’t given a squad number by the Toffees, are the current back-up options to the Belgium international, it’s understandable the Merseyside outfit are keen to keep Lukaku on board. That’s likely to be a major obstacle for Chelsea to overcome in pursuit of their former forward.

If any move is delayed or scuppered completely, Conte may have to adjust his plans slightly, and that’s where he may seek to acquire a more versatile attacker like Stanciu. Nevertheless, those who frequent Stamford Bridge will be expecting a big name between now and the end of the transfer window.