Rumour: Chelsea set to cut ties with Romelu Lukaku

Chelsea are reportedly set to cut ties with Romelu Lukaku in order to land a stellar summer striker, according to The Daily Star.

The Blues are keen to sign one of Diego Costa or Radamel Falcao at the end of the season and with Fernando Torres, Samuel Eto’o and Demba Ba already on the books, the Everton loanee could be the man to be flogged in order to make room and raise funds.

Chelsea are rumoured to want close to £20m for the Belgian striker who has impressed in loan spells with West Brom and Everton and he could be used as a makeweight in a deal to bring Diego Costa in from Atletico Madrid.

Mourinho is still unconvinced in Lukaku’s ability to be his lone striker in his 4-2-3-1 formation, with the pair having a public disagreement over the reasons behind the Belgian going on loan again this season, despite his belief he was ready to be a fixture in Chelsea’s first team squad.

Mourinho is believed to be happy to sell off the powerful youngster in order to finance moves for more proven targets, with Falcao a long-term target.

Chelsea were rumoured to be in for the Colombian hit-man last summer before he agreed a switch from Atletico Madrid to Monaco, and could make a fresh approach to him again this summer after reports surfaced that he is disillusioned with life in Southern France and keen on a move to a more prestigious league.

A torn knee ligament does complicate matters however, with worries over whether he would be able to recover from such a serious injury fully as he nears the 30-year-old mark.

Costa represents another option, with a host of clubs tracking the Spanish/Brazilian striker after a fine season at Atletico.

He would come at a more reasonable price than the £50m Falcao would cost, with Atletico not in a financially stable enough position to refuse any offer that matches his £30m asking price.

Atletico have expressed an interest in Lukaku, so the Belgian could be used as part-exchange to bring Costa to Stamford Bridge, though Mourinho has ruled out the possibility of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois being part of any deal.

Romelu Lukaku has turned 21.4% of his shots into goals this season to land nine goals. Diego Costa bests that having converted 26.8%, but Falcao trails the Belgian, having scored with 18% of his attempts on goal.