Much was expected from Romelu Lukaku after he was brought back to Chelsea during the summer transfer window for £97 million but it has not worked out as planned. Now rumours are circulating that the marksman could be on his way out of the club just one year later.
In 23 Premier League appearances, Lukaku has found the back of the net just five times, fewer than right wing-back Reece James. With reports that the 28-year-old is unhappy in west London, rumours have intensified that a summer exit could well be on the cards.
However, if Chelsea do want to cut their losses on their biggest ever player investment, it will have to wait until Roman Abramovich's successor is found. The Russian is in the process of selling the club but despite two months now passing since they were put on the market, a new owner has not been found.
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Given the sanctions placed upon Abramovich by the UK Government and the subsequent sporting licence issued to allow the club to keep playing, it means the club remain unable to negotiate any transfers - incoming or outgoing. According to a report from Mundo Deportivo, this is causing a delay in Barcelona's attempts to sign Lukaku this summer, despite the Spanish giants already meeting with the player's agent.
However, that could change if one of the prospective owners is proven right in their most recent stance. LA Dodgers part-owner Todd Boehly is leading a consortium bid for the Blues and it is reported to be the current preferred offer out of the four currently on the table.
Britain's richest man Sir Jim Ratcliffe launched a last-gasp £4bn bid to buy the club but Boehly and his consortium are reportedly the preferred bidders and the American remains confident that he can complete a takeover by the end of May, according to Ben Jacobs of CBS.
It would mean transfer restrictions being lifted and Chelsea being able to resume negotiations, an outcome that could theoretically lead to Barcelona completing their Lukaku chase.
