Report: Conte asks Chelsea to sign Lukaku, even for world-record £100M

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte apparently doesn't care how much it would cost to bring Everton forward Romelu Lukaku back to Stamford Bridge.

The Italian tactician has reportedly asked the club to commit all its efforts into completing the signing, even if it means paying the world-record £100-million (€114-million) fee that the Toffees are asking for, according to Matt Law of the Telegraph.

Although the Blues are reportedly nearing deals with Tiemoue Bakayoko, Alex Sandro, and Antonio Rudiger, Lukaku has been Conte's top priority in this summer's transfer window, and the manager has already informed Diego Costa that he does not have a future at the club.

In fact, Conte reportedly prefers Lukaku to Alvaro Morata and Andrea Belotti, as the Italian has been an admirer of the Belgian international and even wanted to sign him when Conte was still at Juventus.

Everton's £100-million price tag is firm, and while Manchester United is also reportedly interested in the 24-year-old striker, Law reports that Lukaku prefers a return to Stamford Bridge and another chance to play for his favourite childhood club.