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Lukaku is set to travel to London in the next few days. (FILE)
Chelsea are set to sign Belgian wonderkid Romelu Lukaku from Anderlecht after agreeing a fee for the striker on Saturday.
Blues boss Andre Villas-Boas had spoken of his admiration for Lukaku following Chelsea’s friendly win over Rangers and just hours later the Premier League club moved closer to sealing a deal for the 18-year-old.
Lukaku, who has been capped 10 times by Belgium, has been on Chelsea’s wanted list for several months after he scored 16 league goals in 37 appearances for Anderlecht last season.
He already has two goals in two games this season but looks set to complete his move to west London in a deal believed to be worth over £18 million ($29.5 million) if he can pass a medical and agree personal terms.
“An agreement has been reached with Anderlecht for the transfer to Chelsea of striker Romelu Lukaku,” a statement on the club’s website announced.
“The move is now subject to the player passing a medical and agreeing personal terms.”
Anderlecht general manager Herman van Holsbeeck added on his club’s website: “We regret the departure of Romelu but the agreement is a win-win situation for the player and RSC Anderlecht. We wish him every success for the rest of his career.”
Lakuku then posted a comment on micro-blogging website Twitter which read: “I have an announcement to make...Next week I’m going to London for the medical tests.”
Lukaku will become Villas-Boas’s third signing since his move from Porto and, speaking after the Rangers game, he had said: “He is a very interesting young prospect and the situation is now that we have to position ourselves to maybe get this kind of talent.”
Chelsea also confirmed on Saturday that Russia midfielder Yuri Zhirkov will return home in a move to Anzhi Makhachkala after two seasons at Stamford Bridge.
“Yury Zhirkov has left Chelsea, returning to his homeland to sign for Russian Premier League side Anzhi Makhachkala,” said a club statement.
In total Zhirkov, who joined from CSKA Moscow in July 2009, made 32 starts and 17 substitute appearances
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