According to reports, Chelsea will finally complete a move for long-term target Romelu Lukaku as Anderlecht has confirmed that the 18-year-old will be leaving the Belgian club.
Both clubs have announced that they have agreed a fee and the forward is due to arrive in London within the next few days for a medical.
Anderlecht general manager Herman Van Holsbeeck said that the club will be sad to see Lukaku go, but that it is a win-win situation for everyone:
“We regret the departure of Romelu.
“He was discovered by us and trained in our youth teams. But this transfer is a win-win situation for everybody.
“We’ll surely look for a suited replacement and hope to announce him soon.”
Andre Villas-Boas also shared his thoughts on the player soon after Chelsea’s 3-1 victory against Rangers at Ibrox today, which was the final game of the club’s preseason, and the Portuguese manager spoke highly of Lukaku.
AVB said:
“He is a very interesting young prospect and the situation is now that we have to position ourselves to maybe get this kind of talent.
“So I would say that anything can happen.”
(Sky Sports)
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Lukaku is only 18, so we won’t need to get anyone to make way in order to stay within the squad quota (even though Yury Zhirkov’s departure is expected to be officially announced soon) as he is under the age of 21.
However, with Fernando Torres, Didier Drogba, Daniel Sturridge, Salomon Kalou and Nicolas Anelka in Chelsea’s ranks, it’s probably a few too many to go into a season with six forwards and I think one of them should be moved on, but which one?
It’s obvious Torres isn’t going to be moved on and Drogba is expected to stick around for at least one more year, whilst Sturridge deserves his chance and Kalou has proved to be a useful ‘super sub’, which leaves Anelka, who isn’t going to worry anyone for a central role and I’m not a fan of seeing him play in a wide position. His contract is also set to expire next season and could leave next summer for free.
This a good news. Anelka and Kalou should b moved on to make way and Josh should be used as an attacking midfielder instead of defensive.
Chelsea all the way
hallelujah welcome to chelc lukaku
He should be loaned outttt
Firstly, we already know that won’t happen as he said he wouldn’t agree to it.
Secondly, he should be making his mark at Chelsea and doesn’t need a poxy loan spell to do it.
welcome to chelsea lukaku
Him and sturridge this season, will be looking forward to seeing them in action. Move on Nic and Kalou. Kalou has his moments but is to inconsistent. Now for a winger please.
Yes lukaku is a gud signing bt we still need a gud winger like adar turan,di maria or adam johnson,wit a creative midfielder like sniedjer or modric not sombody like kaka
good. Chelsea new eddition and anthr revolution
It looks as though Anelka is happy to just pick up his wages and leave next season for free, even though he knows he won’t play much this season. I think the club may struggle to move him on.
As for Kalou, he has resale value and even though he can be a useful sub, it’d be much more beneficial to let him go too.
Zhirkov is already gone, so if Anelka and Kalou were to leave then it’d free up three squad places for two wingers and another midfielder.
He’s got the pace, skill and crossing ability to play on the wings effectively. Obviously he’s much better down the middle and that’s why we bought him but Studge, Lukaku and Torres/Drogba could easily fit into the same line-up.