Atletico Madrid are close to finalizing a deal with Chelsea to take Romelu Lukaku on loan as part of a deal that will take Diego Costa to Stamford Bridge for next season, according to the Evening Standard.
The Belgian striker who spent last season on loan at Everton has expressed his desire to leave Chelsea in pursuit of first-team football. Despite that, the Blues are unwilling to sell the striker on a permanent deal and he could be set for a third loan spell since signing for Chelsea in 2011.
Stat Attack: Luis Suarez and Robin van Persie are the only players to have scored more Premier League goals than Romelu Lukaku in the past two seasons.
The 21-year-old is being chased by a number of top clubs across Europe. However, Chelsea are reluctant to send him on loan to another Premier League club which makes Atletico Madrid the most likely destination due to Jose Mourinho’s interest in Costa and the full-back Filipe Luis.
The deal will most likely open up a move for another striker joining Chelsea, with Mario Mandzukic and Loic Remy being heavily linked with the club in recent weeks.
