Chelsea set for £150m swoop - Lukaku and Hazard closing in on Stamford Bridge returns

Graeme Bailey
1 June 2021

Roman Abramovich understood to 'love' both players and is prepared to back big-money moves for the former Blues.

Chelsea could be set to welcome back not one but two old boys this summer, with Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard closing in on returns to Stamford Bridge.

Lukaku has emerged as one of the form strikers in world soccer, leading Inter Milan to the Serie A title, However, the club are under financial pressure to sell, which was behind Antonio Conte's decision to quit the San Siro.

Lukaku is their prize asset and interest is high, with Chelsea understood to be keen to bring him back to the club. Lukaku first joined Chelsea in 2011 as a teenager, but he was sold in 2015 after making less than a dozen appearances.

In 2017 he came close to returning but instead joined Manchester United. However, Planet Sport understands Chelsea are pushing hard to bring him back to west London.

Lukaku could be joined by fellow countryman Hazard. The Belgium pair never played at Chelsea together but that could change after this summer.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is understood to "love" both players and knowing they are on the market he is now in play.

Lukaku could cost around £100million, while Hazard would be around half that given Real Madrid still owe Chelsea a chunk of money from when they landed him for £130million in 2019.

Chelsea are firm favourites to land both Hazard and Lukaku, if either leave. Lukaku is 4/5 to sign for Chelsea by the close of the transfer window, while Hazard is 6/1 to join, with Paris Saint-Germain next best a at 12/1.

We spoke exclusively to Betfair spokesperson Sam Rosbottom who said signing both Lukaku and Hazard would be a real statement of intent from the Blues.

"With Chelsea finishing their season in style by lifting the Champions League trophy, their eyes will be set on the league title next season," said Rosbottom. "With it being Thomas Tuchel's first summer transfer window at the club you'd expect him to bring in a few names.

"Two former players have been linked with a return to Stamford Bridge recently, and the odds don't disagree. Eden Hazard has had a disappointing time at Real Madrid and has struggled to recapture the brilliance he showed while he was in west London. A return to Chelsea in this window is currently 6/1.

"There have also been rumours about Romelu Lukaku leaving Inter Milan. And, like his Belgian team-mate a return to the Bridge is most likely, with Chelsea the 4/5 odds-on favourites to resign their former striker."