Real Madrid are reportedly locking horns with Atletico Madrid in pursuit of Romelu Lukaku, with Chelsea stepping up their interest in the Belgian striker.
According to a report by Spanish outlet El Gol Digital, the race to sign Romelu Lukaku from Inter Milan in the summer transfer window is heating up. Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid are set to wage battle in Spain for the services of the €100 million-rated Belgian striker, who has also become the priority for Chelsea.
Lukaku has resurrected his career since joining Inter Milan from Manchester United in the summer of 2019. Having been left at a crossroads at the end of the 2018/19 season, the former Chelsea striker has become one of the best players on show in Europe while also having delivered the Serie A title at San Siro this term.
His final tally for the season read an impressive 30 goals and 10 assists in 44 appearances across all competitions. And, Lukaku’s progress over the last couple of years has captured the attention of some of the biggest clubs in the continent, with the likes of Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Chelsea all keen on signing him.
Real Madrid need to lay down the succession plan for Karim Benzema on priority basis, with the French international now 33 years old. With his backups, Mariano Diaz and Luka Jovic, failing to impress one bit, it is imperative that Los Blancos sign a striker who can initially compete with the veteran striker before taking over as the sole first-choice striker.
To that end, the interest in Lukaku makes a great deal of sense for Real Madrid. However, the Merengues have local rivals Atletico Madrid for company in pursuit of the former Chelsea striker, with the newly-crowned La Liga champions in a precarious position over the future of Angel Correa while Luis Suarez is in the twilight of his career.
Lukaku, though, is not the only Inter Milan forward that both Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid are vying for, with Lautaro Martinez also a target for the Spanish giants. As for Chelsea, they could be plunged into the market for a striker this summer, with Tammy Abraham and Oliveir Giroud set to depart Stamford Bridge.
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With Timo Werner blowing hot and cold, Kai Havertz is the only other option to lead the line for Chelsea, which makes Lukaku a viable target. And, according to Sunday World, the Blues are set to prioritise a summer move for the Belgian international, who is on top of Roman Abramovic’s wish list.
However, according to El Gol Digital, Lukaku is valued at a whopping €100 million, although it has also been suggested that Inter Milan could be open to a bid in the region of €80 million. That being said, it will be interesting to see if Chelsea can snap up their former striker after stepping up their interest in him, or if either of Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid prevail in his pursuit.
