Premier League: Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku set for £24m switch to Everton 
Sky Sources understand Belgium international striker Romelu Lukaku is set for a £24m move to Everton. Everton manager Roberto Martinez looks to have won the race to sign the sought-after frontman who
would become the club's record signing should the move proceed, exceeding the £15m fee Everton paid for Lukaku's compatriot Marouane Feillaini in 2008. Reports of Lukaku’s imminent departure from Chelsea intensified
after th
e 21-year-old posted a tweet through his official account hinting that he is ready for the next challenge in his career. The striker has been linked with Everton, Wolfsburg and Juventus this summer after struggling to force his way into the first-team picture at Chelsea since his arrival from Anderlecht in 2011.
Despite the summer departures of strikers Demba Ba and Samuel Eto’o,
Lukaku’s first-team chances at the club looked bleak following Chelsea’s capture of Diego Costa and the return of Didier Drogba.
Earlier on Wednesday Lukaku tweeted a photo of himself on an aeroplane with the message
: “Time to write a new chapter.” The tweet caused online bookmaker Sky Bet to cease trading on his next destination, with an announcement seemingly imminent.
Everton were 1/4 favourites before the plug was pulled, with Bundesliga side Wolfsburg rated 5/1, followed by Serie A champions Juventus at 8/1.
Lukaku mustered just eight Premier League appearances in his first season at Chelsea and failed to find the back of the net.
The following season saw the striker loaned to West Brom where he scored 17 league goals in 35 appearances, helping the club to an eighth place finish in the Premier League.
The Belgian spent last season on loan at Everton where he became a fans’ favourite at Goodison Park after netting 15 times in 35 Premier League matches.
Martinez has already acknowledged that a striker signing is high on his list of priorities.
"We clearly need to strengthen in the number nine position, the striker, and probably another attacking player," he said.
"I am not too concerned about the timing (of signings), all I want to do is make sure we get the right footballers.
"We need up to three attacking players and that is bearing in mind the different ways we are going to play and attack.
"We know exactly our priorities and the names. We will work hard to get them but they need to be a perfect fit."
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9400427/premier-league-chelsea-striker-romelu-lukaku-set-for-16324m-switch-to-everton 
[ 此帖被羅力亞在2014-07-30 23:14重新編輯 ]
