Everton striker Romelu Lukaku 'considering handing in transfer request' to seal Chelsea return

Everton striker Romelu Lukaku is reportedly considering handing in a transfer request to help secure his return to Chelsea. The Belgium international joined the Toffees from Stamford Bridge two years ago, but is apparently keen to head back to west London.

Chelsea have held negotiations with Everton about the 23-year-old forward, but are said to be unwilling to match the £75m ($100m) valuation, which is more than half of the £28m the Merseyside outfit paid for him in 2014. Chelsea are prepared to cough up £67m for the sought-after centre-forward, but Everton are refusing to budge on their demands, according to the London Evening Standard.

Lukaku, however, is keen on a move back to Chelsea and is even considering handing in a transfer request in order to force the issue. In that circumstance, he would stand to lose out on a loyalty bonus, but feels the transfer would boost his career.

The negotiations between Chelsea and Everton are not helped by the being ill-felling between the two clubs following the Blues' courtship of John Stones last summer. Chelsea made four unsucessful bids for the defender in 2015, but felt Everton leaked news of the negotiations to win favour with their supporters.

This time around, Chelsea are refusing to be held to ransom and with less than a month to go until the transfer window closes, are open to the idea of pursuing other targets if Everton refuse to budge. Chelsea already have Diego Costa, summer signing Michy Batshuayi, Loic Remy and Bertrand Traore competing for the striker position.