Transfer News: Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte eyeing a reunion with Chelsea forward Romelu Lukaku
As per Italian publication CalcioMercato (h/t football.london), Tottenham Hotspur boss Antonio Conte is contemplating a move for Chelsea forward Romelu Lukaku, if the Italian loses talisman Harry Kane any time soon.
Lukaku only moved to Stamford Bridge in the summer, after his goalscoring exploits in Italy with Inter Milan convinced Chelsea to splash the cash on the Belgian. A record transfer fee saw the striker seal a return to the Blues, ten years after he first signed for the club as a teenage prodigy.
Conte is said to be eyeing a reunion with Lukaku, who was his ace striker during their time together at Inter Milan. The Belgian striker was instrumental in the Nerazzurri winning their first Serie A title in eleven years. He has, however, failed to replicate the same numbers at Stamford Bridge.
So far, Lukaku has endured a tough start to his second stint at Chelsea and has lacked the cutting edge he showed while at the San Siro. An ill-timed Sky Italia interview that the Belgium international appeared for did him no favours. His comments saw Thomas Tuchel drop him from the squad.
Meanwhile, over in north London, there is growing concern that Kane could leave at the end of the season if Spurs do not win any silverware with Conte at the helm. The Italian was signed to bring trophies to N17, with the Spurs boss having an impressive track record of winning everywhere he goes.
Although Lukaku has not spoken out about his future at Stamford Bridge, it has been reported that Conte would be interested in a reunion should he lose the English skipper. Considering the 28-year-old only recently moved to London, Chelsea holds the aces when it comes to any kind of negotiations.
This report may contain some element of truth, considering that Lukaku passed comments about not being happy playing under Tuchel. The Belgian seemed to have a terrific relationship with Conte during their time in Italy and might be keen to get together with the Spurs coach to reignite his career.
However, it is unlikely that Chelsea will let Lukaku leave for a rival, especially to a London club. The striker might have had a tough time settling in with the Blues, but we need to remember that he hit the ground running on his second debut and scored in consecutive games as Tuchel’s side mounted an early title charge.
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The infamous interview appears to be a turning point in Lukaku’s stint with the Blues, and he has struggled to impress since. Elite strikers always put their difficulties aside and move on quickly to continue scoring goals. Unfortunately, the 28-year-old Belgian has refused to do just that.
Conte may be eyeing a reunion with the Belgian, but enough support from Chelsea fans and the Blues’ coaching staff should see Lukaku stay on with us and get back to his usual goalscoring exploits. With us fighting for trophies on all fronts, Lukaku still has time to prove his abilities and rediscover his scoring touch. Whether he will do his talking on the field or reunite with the former Chelsea boss at the Lane remains to be seen.