Chelsea FC is set to increase their bid for their former player Romelu Lukaku to £68 million, but Everton is rumored to be demanding a whopping £75 million fee if the Blues want to sign the Belgian striker this summer.
Head coach Antonio Conte's side had already submitted a £57 million offer earlier in the summer for Lukaku, but it was instantly turned down by the Toffees as they deemed it was not enough payment for their prized goalscorer, who netted 18 times in 37 English top flight appearances last season.
The 23-year-old striker scored a total of 25 goals in 46 matches in all competitions for the Goodison Park tenants, which was the lone bright spot in an otherwise frustrating campaign for Everton last term.
The Stamford Bridge giants then planned to increase the bid to an even £60 million, but the Merseyside residents were still not satisfied so Chelsea once again increased it to £68 million in hopes that they will finally get the seller's affirmation.
Everton continued to "play hardball over their valuation" of Lukaku, the Daily Star indicated, as the Toffees want £7 million more for them to sell back the player Chelsea initially sold them in 2014 for just £28 million.
The report also mentioned that Lukaku is keen on making a return to the Bridge because he feels that "he has unfinished business in west London after failing to make much of an impact during his first spell on Chelsea's books".
Lukaku had spent two seasons with the Pensioners, in 2011-2012 and 2013-2014, and had appeared only 15 times without goals in all competitions. He was sent on loan to West Brom in 2012-2013 and was able to score 17 goals in 35 Premier League games for the Baggies.
He then found his form once again when sent on another loan spell to Everton in September of 2013 by netting 15 goals in 31 domestic matches before he was permanently transferred the next season.
Caught Offside reported that the Toffees are not really keen on selling Lukaku, which is why they had set the price so high. However, Chelsea "have not been put off" going after their former player at any cost.
If the £75 million deal pushes through, then it will become the new British transfer record, unless Manchester United completes their £100 million move for Paul Pogba anytime soon.