Chelsea switch focus to next ‘number one target’ as Romelu Lukaku completes £97.5m move

Lukaku returning to Chelsea 'to prove people wrong'

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Chelsea are not hanging around in the final few weeks of the summer transfer window with plans to move on to their next ‘number one target’ following the arrival of Romelu Lukaku for a club-record fee worth £97.5million. The Blues had been quiet in the first few months of the transfer window, with Marcus Bettinelli the only signing of note for the first team.

Outgoings had been a priority with initial plans to trim down Thomas Tuchel’s squad.

Fikayo Tomori, Victor Moses and Olivier Giroud have all since left Stamford Bridge but Chelsea’s main priority was to bring in a top-rated striker.

Once it became clear that Inter Milan were willing to listen to offers for Lukaku, Chelsea wasted no time in getting a deal agreed.

Now Chelsea have confirmed Lukaku’s arrival, eight years after he played his last game for the Blues.

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The £97.5m fee Chelsea have paid to re-sign their former striker smashes their previous transfer record.

But they’re summer spending may not finish there with Tuchel reportedly keen to bring in at least one centre-back.

Sky Sports’ Kaveh Solhekol reports that Sevilla’s Jules Kounde is the top target.

However, there are some concerns whether a deal for Kounde will happen this summer or in 12 month’s time.

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“They are looking at signing another centre-back and their number one target is Jules Kounde at Sevilla,” he said on Sky Sports.

“He also plays for France and he’s one of the best young centre-backs in Europe. He’s got a release clause of £68m and lots of other clubs are looking at him as well.

“Chelsea have an issue at centre-back because a lot of their centre-backs are going to be out of contract next summer or the summer after.

“So, when it comes to forward planning, it would be a great idea for them to get Jules Kounde but it’s going to cost a lot of money.

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“We’ve seen Roman Abramovich go out there and spend £97.5m on Romelu Lukaku.

“They need another centre-back and I’m sure, when they sign one, it will be a world-class player.

“But I’m not sure whether it will be this summer or next summer

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