Real Madrid are reportedly considering a move for Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku, who could be sold in the summer transfer window.
According to Defensa Central, Real Madrid are eyeing a summer swoop for misfiring Chelsea centre-forward Romelu Lukaku as they look set to miss out on Borussia Dortmund hitman Erling Haaland.
Lukaku returned to Chelsea last summer, eight years after leaving the Blues permanently in 2014. After a moderately successful stint at Manchester United, the 28-year-old took his game up a notch at Inter Milan and helped them win the Serie A title in 2020/21. It prompted Chelsea to shell out a massive sum of €113 million to re-sign Lukaku.
However, the move has turned out to be a major dud, with Lukaku struggling to reproduce his form from last season. The Belgian international has managed a paltry return of only five goals in the Premier League this term and finds himself behind Timo Werner and Kai Havertz in the pecking order.
Heading into the summer, manager Thomas Tuchel wants Chelsea to sell Lukaku. His situation at Stamford Bridge has led to interest from several clubs. Former team Inter Milan have been linked with a move for the 28-year-old, while La Liga giants Barcelona have also been credited with an interest.
Now Real Madrid, too, have seemingly entered the race to sign Lukaku from Chelsea in the summer. The Merengues are likely to sign Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain on a Bosman deal. However, they are keen on adding another centre-forward to their ranks to rotate with Karim Benzema and had been linked heavily with Erling Haaland.
However, with the Norwegian international likely to sign for Manchester City in the summer, Real Madrid are now considering other options, with Lukaku emerging as an option for the newly-crowned La Liga champions. The striker’s agent had previously revealed that the Belgian striker harbours dreams of playing for Los Blancos.
But, Chelsea are likely to demand a sum of €75 million for Lukaku, which could put off Real Madrid from pursuing the striker. The report insists that club president Florentino Perez has doubts about the 28-year-old, and it is hard to imagine him sanctioning such a huge sum for the striker in such a scenario.
But with both Luka Jovic and Mariano Diaz expected to be on their way out, Real Madrid need another striker beyond Mbappe. And it remains to be seen who they sign come summer.