Chelsea are ready to go to £18 million for Anderlecht sensation Romelu Lukaku.
The Sun says Barcelona have cleared the way for Carlo Ancelotti's title-chasing Blues to snap up Romelu Lukaku by pulling out of the chase for the Anderlecht whizkid.
Lukaku, 17, is also being tracked by Arsenal as well as a host of top European clubs.
But Stamford Bridge is now his likeliest destination, with Barca manager Pep Guardiola opting to turn his attentions to Villarreal's ex-Manchester United striker Giuseppe Rossi, 24.
Chelsea are on the lookout for a new hitman, with Drogba and Nicolas Anelka the wrong side of 30 and Daniel Sturridge eyeing a permanent move to Bolton this summer.
And Lukaku fits the bill, with 35 goals in 87 games for Anderlecht.
The Antwerp-born starlet said: "I'm flattered to be compared to a great striker like Didier but I insist on being my own player.
"My style is best suited to the English Premier League, so a move to England is more likely than a switch to Spain or anywhere else in Europe."
