Irons' Lukaku move hangs in balance as Blues chase reinforcements

West Ham's pursuit of Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku is still very much on- but will depend on the West London side's own success in the transfer market. 

The Hammers were told by the Blues in May, when they first inquired about Belgium international Lukaku, that no decision on the player's future would be made until a new permanent manager was installed at the club. 

Jose Mourinho has since returned for a second spell in the Stamford Bridge hotseat, but it is understood that he is unwilling to let the 20 year old leave the club, either on loan or on a permanent basis, until a replacement has been signed. 

Chelsea are currently chasing two strikers; Edinson Cavani of Napoli, and Christian Benteke of Aston Villa. The latter handed in a transfer request at Villa Park on Monday night, but the Blues face a transfer wrangle with Premier League rivals Liverpool and Spurs for the powerful frontman's signature. As both of these deals seem likely to drag on all summer long, it seems unlikely that any deal for the Hammers to bring Lukaku to E13 will materialise until the end of August. 

West Ham are, meanwhile, losing their battle to bring another Chelsea forward in Demba Ba to the club. The former Iron is believed to have rejected both the Hammers and West Brom and now could be set for a lucrative move to Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala. 

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling

Bony chase on: striker to meet with three Premier League sides next week

The speculation surrounding the future of Vitesse Arnhem striker Wilfried Bony has hotted up today as one of the Ivory Coast's international's agents has today confirmed that his client is currently 'in good demand' and that they will be holding talks with a number of clubs in the coming weeks- starting with an unnamed London club next weekend.

The powerful forward stated last weekend that he believed he had played his last game for Vitesse and left speculation about his future wide open.

West Ham were reported to have held talks with the pacy frontman in March and are still very much on his tail, but will have to fight off stiff competition if they want to land him, Bony's agent has said today.

Francis Cacou today told Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad: "We have had more than one conversation with Anzhi [Makhachkala, Russian side who tried to sign Bony earlier in the season] and we now know what approximately they want to pay. After wages, bonuses and commission we will talk again."

"I have to say we also spoke with a German side last week and the next weekend we will be at a London side."

Sky Sports are reporting that Bony and his representatives will meet with 'at least three' Premier League sides next week- Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea, Everton and Fulham as well as the Hammers have all been linked with the 24 year old in the two months.

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling