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Aston Villa have emerged as a potential destination for Romelu Lukaku next season.
The Chelsea striker is spending the current season on loan back in Italy with his old club, but, although they have the option to extend that arrangement, they have indicated they are not prepared to do so, because of his struggles with fitness and form.
And that leaves Chelsea with a problem, because the Belgian remains under contract with them until 2026, and yet does not form part of their long=term plans.
Selling him to Villa is an attractive proposition, although it will be at some discount to his current value on their balance sheet, and the Belgian international may have to accept some reduction in his current salary.
And Lakaku already knows the West Midlands area well, having enjoyed a successful loan spell with West Bromwich Albion earlier in his career during his first stint with Chelsea.
Andy is an exiled English football fan living in Cyprus. He loves all sports but football is his abiding passion, and he still has dreams every now and then about scoring the winning goal in a Wembley Cup Final, even though his playing days are long gone. He follows most major leagues, across Europe at least, and has a favoured team in each. When he’s not watching, listening, reading or downloading podcasts about football, he spend his time worrying about his beloved Arsenal.