Manchester City have inadvertently handed Chelsea a major boost ahead of the summer transfer window, should the Blues look to offload Romelu Lukaku. Pep Guardiola's side look poised to beat Real Madrid to the signing of Erling Haaland at the end of the season, with a deal 'very imminent' according to Sky Sports Italy journalist Gianluca Di Marzio.
The Spanish giants were reportedly among the select few in the queue to secure the Borussia Dortmund striker's signature in the coming months. However, with the Premier League champions seemingly in poll position, Carlo Ancelotti' side have taken their business elsewhere and launched a backup plan.
Real Madrid are now considering a move for Lukaku, according to Spanish outlet Defensa Central. The 28-year-old faces an uncertain future Stamford Bridge having failed to impress since returning to west London.
READ MORE: Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: Haaland backup plan, Sir Jim Ratcliffe decision, Lukaku target
Lukaku, who cost the Blues a club record £97.5 million in the summer, has managed just five goals in 23 Premier League appearances for Thomas Tuchel's side this season. The Belgium international has struggled to nail down a place in the side, with Timo Werner and Kai Havertz often preferred.
But, despite his unconvincing displays when called upon, he's courted interest from Real Madrid ahead of the summer transfer window. Defensa Central have outlined that the Belgian has become an option with Los Blancos set to miss out on Haaland.
Lukaku has also attracted the interest of Barcelona, though he has emerged as Xavi's 'plan c' with few number nines available, according to Marca. Despite the uncertainty regarding the £59m-rated striker's future at Chelsea, Tuchel believes that he can still grow into a 'crucial' player for the side.
"For us it is clear, we can play with Romelu and we can be very strong with Romelu and we proved it," said the German, following the Blues' FA Cup semi-final triumph over Crystal Palace. "And we will prove it if he is involved and keeps involved mentally and he stays involved in the situation to go through this he can grow from it and come back stronger.
"It is always like this and it is for sure disappointing for him and not what we expected, not what we expected at the moment, but it is not finished and we will not give in. We never give in with any players and we never give up.
"We will push him, we will push as far as we can and as long as the player stays involved in the mentality that is needed to bring a team forward he can still be a crucial player."
