Chelsea are weighing up a stunning move to bring Romelu Lukaku back to Stamford Bridge this summer if they are unable to sign Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund, reports claim.
A new striker has become a priority for the Blues after watching their front line struggle to hit the mark. Their £53million signing Timo Werner has managed just five league goals since joining last season while Olivier Giroud has four.
Teenage sensation Haaland has emerged as a big target for manager Thomas Tuchel, but Dortmund have reportedly slapped a £154m price tag on him - which could prove too much even for a club of Chelsea's resources.
Should they admit defeat in their bid to land the Norwegian forward, then they will move their attentions to Inter Milan's Lukaku, according to the Telegraph.
The big Belgian - who joined Chelsea as an 18-year-old back in 2011 - was unable to convince a handful of managers that he was good enough for the first team at Stamford Bridge. First he was loaned to West Brom and then Everton - with Jose Mourinho selling him to to the Toffees in 2014.
Now 27, Lukaku has proven himself to be one of the top forwards in Europe having netted 87 times in 166 games in Merseyside before securing an £75m move to Manchester United in 2017.
He struck 42 times at Old Trafford before switching to Serie A, where he has become an indispensable member of Antonio Conte's squad.
Lukaku has 25 goals this campaign and has played a huge part in propelling Inter towards their first Scudetto in a decade as they sit six points clear of rivals Milan.
Chelsea, meanwhile, face a battle to secure a top four finish this season - with Champions League football a must if they want to attract a big name forward to the club at the end of the season.
With a new No 9 a priority, Haaland has been a name heavily linked after his stunning rise to prominence in recent seasons. The 20-year-old starlet has 49 goals in 49 games since arriving from RB Salzburg last season - including 33 in 31 appearances this term.
The Blues won't be online in their interest for Haaland, with Man United, City and Real Madrid all keeping tabs on the talented youngster.
But reports that Dortmund value him at more than £150m may put clubs off - especially with a £65m release clause set to kick in next year.
