Chelsea are dead serious about signing a deadly striker for the team as reports have emerged that the west London club are willing to offer to offer £86million to tempt Inter Milan into letting Romelu Lukaku return to Stamford Bridge this summer.

Borussia Dortmund forward Haaland is understood to be the prime target on owner Roman Abramovich’s shortlist, with Belgian striker Lukaku an option if a move for the Norwegian fails to materialise.

According to Calcio Mercato, as cited by the Mail, the Blues are prepared to put their money where their mouth is and pay more than £80m for the player, who only made 15 appearances in all competitions during his four years in west London between 2011 and 2014.

Lukaku has been in superb goalscoring form this season with 26 goals in 35 matches for Inter, helping them to the top of Serie A by eight points with a game in hand.

The 27-year-old, who signed for the Italian giants for £74m from Manchester United in August 2019, is the talisman and attacking figurehead and there is no indication the club would be willing to sell.

Manchester City tried to sign him last summer and could move again given Sergio Aguero’s departure.

Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman also worked with Lukaku at Everton and wants a reunion but their dire financial situation is expected to hinder that move.