Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi. (Photo : Getty Images)
Chelsea is rumored to be set to rival fellow English Premier League club Arsenal for the services of Inter Milan team captain Mauro Icardi this summer as the Blues' negotiations with Everton for the transfer of Romelu Lukaku had been unmoving in the past weeks.
The Daily Express reported that the Blues are keen on acquiring another "striker before the transfer window shuts, despite already signing Michy Batshuayi" from Ligue side Olympique de Marseille last month.
Aside from Batshuayi, new head coach Antonio Conte only has Diego Costa, Loic Remy, and Bertrand Traoré as his current options to lead the line in the coming season, which is clearly not enough if the Stamford Bridge giants would like to achieve a significant finish next term.
Lukaku is reported as Conte's "no. 1 target" since the manager arrived in Fulham after his stint with the Italian national team in the 2016 Euro championships. But Chelsea had been having a hard time dealing with the Toffees, who had already rejected a bid from the Pensioners for their Belgian goalscorer twice this summer.
Everton is said to be keen on keeping Lukaku's release clause at £75 million, which would make the Belgium international the fifth most expensive player in football history.
Chelsea tried to include Remy and out-of-place but still effective goalkeeper Asmir Begovic to the latest £65 million offer they submitted to the Toffees, but it was still turned down by the Goodison Park residents.
The Blues have reportedly gone "frustrated" about the delays in their talks with Everton and, according to Caught Offside, are now "preparing a move for Arsenal target Mauro Icardi".
Conte's squad is set to open the 2016-2017 Premier League season against West Ham United on August 15 and speculations are out that the Italian mentor would like to finalize his roster before then.
The 23-year-old Icardi had just finished his third season with I Nerazzurri since he was acquired in the summer of 2013 from fellow Serie A club Sampdoria. He had appeared in a total of 102 games in all competitions for Inter and had scored 52 goals during the said time span, making him one of the most sought-after young strikers in the summer window today.
