Rumour reel: Chelsea special

Who is Costa’s long-term replacement

With the 2016/17 Premier League season now in the books, Chelsea turn their attentions to the last game of their season, Saturday’s FA Cup final with Arsenal at Wembley. Despite that mammoth tie, the Diego Costa story, which dominated headlines during the winter transfer window, is back.

It’s widely-believed that Blues scoring sensation Diego Costa will be off during the fair weather, a big-money move to China looking like the most-likely option for the Spanish sensation, and that will leave a massive whole in the champions’ attack.

The boys from the Bridge aren’t short of cash to get a replacement in, and they have already been linked with just about every top striker in European football. But is their truth in any of it? Who will lead the line next season as Conte targets two in-a-row?

Lukaku ready for a return

Romelu Lukaku is a real option, with the Everton striker proving his worth this year at Goodison Park. The 24-year-old Belgian wouldn’t be the Hollywood name fans want, and certainly wouldn’t rate as the biggest star in the dressing room, but he scores goals, plenty of them, and that’s what the side need going forward, certainly domestically. Lukaku banged in 25, and led the race for the golden boot for much of 2017, before being pipped at the post by Harry Kane. Certainly no shame in that. There was only four goals in it at the final count – four behind one of the best strikers in the world. He is, of course, a former Chelsea employee, leaving the club for Everton in 2014. Would they be willing to stump up for him back?