Chelsea, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain are all looking to bolster their strike force in the summer transfer window and have all set their sights on Everton star Romelu Lukaku. The trio has been handed an encouragement in their ongoing chase of signing the Premier League attacker after his agent's remarks.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic left the Ligue 1 winners as a free agent. He is heavily reported to reunite with Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford. That allows the Red Devils to bolster their attack for the 2016-17 season.
This leaves the Blues and PSG to add more firepower to their attack and these two clubs, along with United have turned their attention in signing Everton striker Romelu Lukaku. The 23-year-old joined the Merseyside club, initial on loan from Chelsea in 2013 and then complete a permanent transfer to Goodison Park a year later for a club-record fee of £28 million.
In the last season, the former Chelsea striker scored 25 goals in all competitions for Everton, in what was a disappointing campaign for them. His form has seen him being linked with a return to Stamford Bridge as the incoming Chelsea manager Antonio Conte reportedly wants him back at the west London club.
Mourinho wants to reunite with his former player at United, while PSG have also maintained their interest in the striker. There were reports of him returning to Chelsea and that has been quashed by his agent Mino Raiola.
Lukaku was also attracting interest from Serie A, but his representative claims his client cannot be afforded by any Italian clubs and he is only suited for a mega-rich clubs, as only they can afford him.
"Romelu certainly has the qualities to play in Italy, but as the Italian landscape currently looks, there's no team that can afford him," Raiola told Sportwereld, as quoted by Goal.com.
"He's too expensive for Serie A. Only a global power can pay for him. The top clubs in England, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain."
Everton endured a poor season and this saw them show Roberto Martinez the exit door. He has been replaced by Ronald Koeman as the Dutchman arrived at Goodison Park after leaving Southampton.
Raiola has hinted that Lukaku could continue with his current employers, playing under Koeman's new project at the club.
"Everton don't need money anymore. Romelu wants to play for a club that can win trophies. Something's changed at Everton: there's a new project. If he leaves, it has to be a good deal for all parties involved," he added.
