Romelu Lukaku’s return to Chelsea has been delayed this summer because of the club’s marketing plans, according to reports.
Lukaku, the Belgian striker who finished last season as the Premier League’s second highest scorer, is expected to resign for Chelsea from Everton.
The 23-year-old told his agent Mino Raiola that he wanted to return to Chelsea earlier in June, according to The Times, but the move has been delayed.
Chelsea wants to stall on confirming the deal, believed to be worth around £70 million, until it releases the 2017-18 shirt produced by new sponsor Nike, according to the Daily Express.
Lukaku joined Chelsea in 2011 at the age of 18 but was sent on loan to West Bromwich Albion and Everton, before making a permanent move to Goodison Park in 2013.
He is seen by Chelsea boss Antonio Conte as a replacement for Diego Costa at the head of the team’s attack for next season.
