Everton may axe Chelsea negotiations

Everton are considering cutting off all communication with Chelsea over the transfer of Romelu Lukaku

Chelsea’s highly public transfer chases for Everton defender John Stones and centre forward Romelu Lukaku may have finally become more than the Toffees’ ownership can handle. The higher-ups at Goodison Park are contemplating the cessation of all negotiations with the ownership at Stamford Bridge.

The Daily Mail reports that Everton ownership have taken offense to Chelsea’s openness about chasing their stars. That sort of arrogance could cost Antonio Conte in the race for his ideal centre forward target. Chelsea will need to move quickly to mend relations with Everton if they want to have any chance of securing Lukaku’s services this summer.

Chelsea have made no secret of their interest in acquiring Lukaku as a potential heir to current front man Diego Costa. In sharp contrast, Everton have been consistent with their claims that the Belgian forward is not for sale. Most pundits, myself included, have believed that Lukaku would ultimately make his return to Chelsea this summer.

Now, that transfer has been put into serious jeopardy. Everton have Lukaku under contract for several more seasons, and new manager Ronald Koeman isn’t keen on losing his most dangerous attacker right before the beginning of his first season at the club.

The new Everton manager showed his willingness to force stars to stay at their current club during his previous job in charge of Southampton. If things continue to progress at their current rate, Lukaku may end up spending an unhappy season at Everton instead of making his alleged dream move back to Chelsea.

More from Playing for 90

Of course, Chelsea’s road to rehabilitating their relationship with Everton is pretty straight forward. First, the Blues need to halt their policy of flaunting their transfer targets in the press. Their arrogant chasing of John Stones last summer began the souring of their relationship with Everton and they didn’t end up signing the classy defender either.

Secondly, Chelsea need to halt their tough negotiating stance with Everton over a fee for Lukaku immediately. Most reports have claimed that the two clubs are actually only about ten million pounds apart with their respective valuations of the prolific forward. For a club with Chelsea’s financial might, ten million pounds just isn’t a lot of money. If they really want to repair their relationship with Everton and sign Lukaku, they need to just stump the required transfer fee.

If Chelsea don’t smarten up soon, then Everton may be forced into the nuclear option in regards to their transfer negotiations. Ronald Koeman’s club won’t be afraid to shut down Chelsea talks altogether if the Blues don’t adjust their transfer policy immediately.

Home/Everton FC