Chelsea transfer news: Blues announce Romelu Lukaku signing as £97.5m move confirmed | Football | Sport
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Chelsea have confirmed the return of striker Romelu Lukaku, who has completed a huge £97.5million switch from Inter Milan. Lukaku becomes the second-most expensive in Premier League history and Chelsea’s club-record addition.
Lukaku completed a medical in Milan before flying to London on Monday and told reporters that he would soon comment on his move.
In joining the Blues, Lukaku has signed a five-year contract until 2026.
The Blues have wanted to sign an elite-level striker this summer to add firepower to Thomas Tuchel’s squad.
Tuchel replaced Frank Lampard in January and immediately improved Chelsea’s form.
The German guided them from ninth to fourth in the Premier League and then sensationally lifted the Champions League thanks to a 1-0 win over Manchester City.
However, they often lacked a clinical edge and none of their players shouldered the scoring responsibility.
Jorginho’s seven goals made him their top scoring player in the Premier League, even though each of his strikes were penalties.
The £47m summer recruit Timo Werner was guilty of missing several chances and ended the season with only six league goals.
Werner was more productive in games when used in a slightly withdrawn role, as opposed to being the main striker.
Tuchel therefore made a No 9 his main target and has landed Lukaku following a lengthy search.
Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland was initially earmarked as a possible candidate for the position.
However, the German side’s valuation of the Norwegian prompted the West Londoners to source other options.
Lukaku is returning to Stamford Bridge 10 years after he first signed as an 18-year-old.
He made just 15 first-team appearances and failed to score for the Blues before departing for Everton in a £28m transfer in 2014.
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Tuchel recently spoke about the profile of his dream striker, insisting that his squad lacks a player capable of playing with their back to goal and being physical with defenders.
“Romelu is one of the guys like [Erling] Haaland at Dortmund, [Robert] Lewandowski at Bayern Munich, Harry Kane at Tottenham, who is a real No 9 who loves to score and who has a presence in the box,” Tuchel said following a 2-2 friendly draw with Tottenham on Wednesday.
“That is not a secret. The sentence is easy to repeat for any coach in the world.
“He is the kind of profile we’re looking for, and if it is possible to convince agents and clubs, we will do our best.
“We lost Olivier Giroud, who played a crucial role in the club.
“He was the kind of profile who likes to play with his back to goal, who likes to hold up balls, who creates space for Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Christian Pulisic, who is ready to fight physically with defenders.”
Lukaku’s signing might spell the end of Tammy Abraham’s Chelsea career, with the England forward heavily linked to a move to Roma and also liked by Arsenal.
Abraham could reunite with former Blues boss Jose Mourinho in Rome, where the Portuguese has been appointed as head coach.
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