Roman Abramovich has taken time out from his search for a new manager to tie up a £20million deal for teenage striker Romelu Lukaku.Sportsmail understands the Chelsea owner consulted senior members of his Stamford Bridge staff earlier this week about Lukaku and agreed that they should press ahead with a move, despite the void created by Carlo Ancelotti's sacking.
Chelsea have already been assured by the 18-year old's advisers that he sees his future at Stamford Bridge, and Abramovich is now in the process of agreeing a fee with Anderlecht.
Though the Belgium club were hoping for approaching £30million for their powerfully-built frontrunner, they will accept nearer £20million after he made little secret of his wish to become a Chelsea player.
Sources close to Lukaku, who has already broken into the senior Belgium side and scored two goals in nine appearances, have confirmed he views Chelsea as his main option.
It is understood the transfer will now be rubber-stamped after Belgium's game against Turkey next Friday, June 3.
Lukaku has always modelled himself on Didier Dogba, yet, ironically, his arrival could hasten the veteran Chelsea striker's departure.
Drogba is on Jose Mourinho's wanted list, and Real Madrid's former Stamford Bridge boss could now follow up his interest after strengthening his hold on power at the Bernabeu in the wake of Jorge Valdano's sacking as director general.
Mourinho had increasingly been at odds with Valdano but is now free to pursue a list of targets that includes Drogba, after president Florentino Perez stepped in and ended the power battle.
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