Everton ‘increase Lukaku asking price’ amid fresh Chelsea link

Romelu Lukaku: Asking price 'raised £10m'

Romelu Lukaku: Asking price 'raised £10m'

Everton have reportedly increased their asking price for Romelu Lukaku to £75million in a bid to scare suitors off a move for the Belgium striker.

The former Chelsea striker was linked with a return to Stamford Bridge earlier this summer and reports this week suggest the player remains a target for the club.

The Blues are very much in the hunt for a big-name striker signing this summer, despite the £33million arrival of Michy Batshuayi and reportedly had a £63m bid for Alvaro Morata rejected by Real Madrid earlier this week.

Antonio Conte’s side have also been linked with a move for Edinson Cavani on Friday, with it suggested their £41m move had been knocked back by PSG.

But the Daily Mail claims Everton face increasing fears that Chelsea may instead move for Lukaku, and having initially placed a £65million fee on his head, have now raised that by £10million in a bid to dissuade their Premier League rivals from making an approach.

Everton are making plans to keep the Belgian and his agent Mino Raiola hinted earlier this summer that he could be persuaded to stay and sign a new reported £120,000 a week deal at the club.