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Antonio Conte and his Chelsea compatriot are set to lose yet another potential signing for the coming season to league rivals Manchester United. While Manchester United is making huge waves in the transfer market buying key players to strengthen their squad, it appears Chelsea is in the market to do some window shopping. Chelsea has been linked with players like Bakayoko, Sandro, Morata, and a host of others including Lukaku, but to the dissatifaction of the Blues fan an official deal has never been made on these players. Infact, Chelsea had to be watching as Lukaku is slipping away to the voracious United team who came in a couple of hours to seal the deal Chelsea had been on for weeks. Little wonder an article has earlier stated here why United might be English best club next season. But why could Chelsea have missed out on a player who said he has unfinished business at the bridge? Here are 3 reasons to that effect.
The Costa-Chelsea indecision: Conte has earlier sent a message to Costa that he is no longer needed at the club, but since then there had been no affirmative say from the board on whether Costa is going or staying, it appears the striker is floating in the club. With such indecision it's unlikely any major striker will be willing to sign a contract with Chelsea with the fear of 'what if Costa stays'. Same applied to Romelu Lukaku who will never want to share the No 9 position with any notable striker. When left with an offer to choose yesterday morning, he chose Manchester United.
The Jose Mourinho's influence: you cannot just neglect the influence of Mourinho on any player of his choice, he is such a charismatic coach that seems to get majority of the things he wanted. Mourinho is very familiar with the striker, having sold him to Everton from Chelsea. Lukaku has once said that he wants to impress Mourinho, and once the offer came from Mourinho, it appears too sweet to be rejected.
The Lukaku transfer fee: earlier around May when Chelsea contacted Everton on the striker, Everton placed a whooping fee of 100 million pounds on the striker, which to Chelsea seems extremely ridiculous for the same striker sold to Everton for 28 million pounds. Since then, Chelsea has been indecisive on the striker until this last minute when Man.Utd negotiated the amount, then Chelsea also made a move which now seems so late as Lukaku has passed his medicals for Manchester United.
Now, Chelsea will have to shift attention to Alvaro Morata or Costa whose agent is seeking a peace talk with the board.