Chelsea 'turn attention to Keita Balde Diao after missing out on Romelu Lukaku'

Lazio's forward from Senegal Balde Diao Keita celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League playoff football match between Lazio and Bayer Leverkusen, at Olympic stadium in Rome on August 18, 2015
© Getty Images
Chelsea are reportedly considering a move for Lazio forward Keita Balde Diao after missing out on Romelu Lukaku to Manchester United.

Chelsea are reportedly considering a bid for Lazio forward Keita Balde Diao after seemingly missing out on Romelu Lukaku.

Lukaku looks set to join Manchester United in a switch which could rise to a world-record £90m after the two clubs agreed a fee for the Everton striker.

Antonio Conte is understood to have made signing a new frontman his priority after telling Diego Costa that he is not in his plans, with reports suggesting that he was frustrated by the club's failure to capture Lukaku.

The Premier League champions could now turn their attention to Keita, though, who scored 16 goals and created five more in 31 Serie A appearances last season - with 10 of those outings coming off the bench.

The 22-year-old's current Lazio deal expires next summer and he is not expected to sign a new contract at the Stadio Olimpico, which could see him leave the capital for a cut-price fee.

Lazio have already agreed terms with AC Milan over a €20m (£17.7m) switch, only for the player to turn down a move in the hope of holding out for Italian champions Juventus.

However, Juve are not interested in the Senegal international as they are instead chasing Federico Bernardeschi and Douglas Costa, and Keita is now thought to be willing to listen to offers from elsewhere.

Chelsea could face competition from the likes of Inter Milan and AC Milan, but both clubs are also understood to have prioritised other targets this summer.

Diego Costa eats his medal during the Premier League game between Chelsea and Sunderland on May 21, 2017
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