Chelsea has chance to come out on top of another transfer triangle

We are now three-and-a-half years removed from one of the most influential transfer triangles in recent memory. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s move to Arsenal set off a chain reaction around Europe as Dortmund replaced its superstar with Michy Batshuayi from Chelsea (on loan) and the Blues swapped the Belgian’s place in the team for the Gunners’ Olivier Giroud. In hindsight, an argument can be made that even though Arsenal got the best overall player, Chelsea won the transfer triangle. Giroud went on to lift three trophies with the Blues (FA Cup, Europa League and Champions League), playing a major role in all three. The Blues paid just £18 million for Giroud, whereas the Gunners shelled out £56 million for their superstar.

Giroud recently departed SW6 after his successful stint at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea’s new hunt for a striker has led it to an old flame, who has now developed into one of the world’s best No. 9s. Romelu Lukaku is set to rejoin the Blues after departing in 2014. The big money move will likely set off a chain reaction that’ll see the Champions of Europe involved in yet another striker transfer triangle, 42 months removed from their last.

Chelsea has the chance to win another transfer triangle deal around strikers.

Chelsea is set to smash its record transfer fee on the Belgian with a move tallying over £100 million. It will help solve Inter Milan’s financial issues, but it will also open up a spot in the starting XI along Lautaro Martinez. Inter is said to have its sights set on Atalanta striker Duvan Zapata as a probable Lukaku replacement once the funds transfer over from Roman Abramovich’s bank account. This will leave a glaring hole in Gian Piero Gasperini’s side as it looks to replace a forward who played in 49 games during the last campaign. Should the Italian giants see their 30-year-old centerpiece make a move to the defending Serie A champions, they will try to pry Tammy Abraham away from his boyhood club.

This would be best case scenario for the Blues all around. Firstly, they would get their elite striker in the form of Lukaku. Thomas Tuchel has spoken numerous times on the need to bring in an established No. 9 and it’s been evident for months that Timo Werner—albeit important—is simply not that player. Lukaku is Premier League proven, at the top of his game and adaptable to many different formations. The prospect of the striker joining the Champions League winners should have other sides shaking in their boots as the upcoming campaign draws closer.

Further, this rumored transfer triangle would see Abraham depart to somewhere outside of England. Many Chelsea fans (myself included) are incredibly iffy about a sale of the young Englishman. It’s evident that he’s destined to become a top striker, so it’s an added bonus that he wouldn’t be joining a club like Arsenal or West Ham. The only worry is that he’ll develop into a world class forward in Italy. The term worry is relative, of course. It’d be a shame to see him shine for a club other than Chelsea, but many supporters will also root for the academy graduate to succeed wherever his next step takes him.

Overall, it’s difficult to see the Blues not making it out of this deal as the most successful side considering they’re getting the best player and adding him to the best team in Europe. However, not many people expected Chelsea to walk away as winners in the Aubameyang-Giroud-Batshuayi swap either. It goes to show that few ever truly know how deals will shake out. One thing is certain though, Lukaku is going to thrive in his return to Stamford Bridge.

What do you think of the rumored deal? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!