Chelsea Turn Attention to Keita Balde after Missing out on Romelu Lukaku

Chelsea are reportedly considering a bid for Lazio forward Keita Balde Diao after seemingly missing out on Romelu Lukaku. Lukaku looks set to join Manchester United in a switch which could rise to a world-record £90m after the two clubs agreed a fee for the Everton striker. Antonio Conte is understood to have made signing a new front man his priority after telling Diego Costa that he is not in his plans, with reports suggesting that he was frustrated by the club's failure to capture Lukaku.

The Premier League champions could now turn their attention to Keita, though, who scored 16 goals and created five more in 31 Serie A appearances last season - with 10 of those outings coming off the bench.

The 22-year-old's current Lazio deal expires next summer and he is not expected to sign a new contract at the Stadio Olimpico, which could see him leave the capital for a cut-price fee.

Lazio have already agreed terms with AC Milan over a €20m (£17.7m) switch, only for the player to turn down a move in the hope of holding out for Italian champions Juventus.

However, Juve are not interested in the Senegal international as they are instead chasing Federico Bernardeschi and Douglas Costa, and Keita is now thought to be willing to listen to offers from elsewhere.

Chelsea could face competition from the likes of Inter Milan and AC Milan, but both clubs are also understood to have prioritized other targets this summer.

Credit: sportsmole

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