Chelsea have re-entered the race to sign Everton striker Romelu Lukaku after matching Manchester United's £75 million (Dh355.2m) bid, according to reports in the British media.
United appeared to have stolen a march on their Premier League rivals by making their offer on Thursday, with reports claiming Lukaku was set to have a medical in Los Angeles, where the Belgian is on holiday with United midfielder Paul Pogba. United are reportedly hopeful of concluding the deal ahead of the start of their pre-season tour of the United States on Sunday.
However, according to the BBC, Chelsea have launched their own bid to sign Lukaku, who joined the London club in 2011 before leaving for Everton in a £28m deal in 2014 having made just one Premier League start.
Before United's interest, it had been thought that Lukaku, 24, had set his sights on a return to Chelsea after turning down a contract from Everton that would have made him the club's highest ever paid player.
Whether Chelsea's recent offer will be enough to turn Lukaku's head remains to be seen, but the assurance of being his former club's lead striker, with Diego Costa destined for the exit, is sure to appeal.
The role of Lukaku's agent, Mino Raiola, could also play a key part in the striker's destination, with Chelsea unwilling to match the fees United are prepared to pay to get the deal done.
