Chelsea transfer news: Club will pay up to £67m to partner Romelo Lukaku with Diego Costa, but Everton want £75m

Simon Johnson1 August 2016

Chelsea remain locked in negotiations with Everton for Romelu Lukaku, while maintaining their insistence that Diego Costa is not for sale.

Standard Sport first revealed in April that Lukaku had set his sights on a return to Stamford Bridge, two years after he was sold for £28m, because he had 'unfinished business' there.

Chelsea have already had one bid of £57m rejected by Everton, who are looking to capitalise on the situation by demanding £75m for the 23-year-old.

The Blues are still hoping that Everton will be prepared to compromise as they are only willing to pay up to £67m.

Talks are set to continue this week and Chelsea are aiming to get the deal done before the start of the season.

Lukaku is keen on moving back to west London despite the way he was treated after joining them from Anderlecht for £18m in 2011.

The Belgium international made just one League start in three years and went on loan to West Brom and Everton in order to get first team football.

Lukaku has scored 45 goals since securing a permanent move to Goodison Park in 2014 and Chelsea want him back to lead the line alongside Costa having given up on their other main target, Real Madrid's Alvaro Morata.

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Costa's future at the club had appeared to be in jeopardy once again after coach Antonio Conte admitted on Saturday that he didn't know if he'd remain a Chelsea player.

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Conte's remarks followed the 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid, the second consecutive game Costa had missed on the pre-season tour due to a minor back injury.

The 27-year-old has been a target of Atletico Madrid throughout the close season and have upset Chelsea with their continued attempts to buy him.

Chelsea are refusing to cash in on their asset and significantly, Atletico signed their second choice for the forward role, Sevilla star Kevin Gamiero, for £28m on Saturday.

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