Clarke resigned to Lukaku departure

Unfortunately for West Brom fans, it looks like a case of enjoy it while you can when it comes to Romelu Lukaku, with The Mirror reporting that the striker is set to return to Chelsea at the end of the season.

It always looked unlikely that the Midlands club would keep the Belgium, however they have been murmurings that Lukaku had taken to life so well at the Hawthorns that he would be more than willing to extend his loan spell by another year. Unfortunately for the player it is Baggies boss himself who was the bearer of this bad news, meaning that a return to the Stamford Bridge cauldron now looks a certainty.

At West Brom Lukaku has looked every bit the supposed new sensation that he was reported to be when he came to England, contributing 13 goals and in the process attracting a vast number of admirers. It seems now that Chelsea are ready to give the teenager his chance to compete with the lackluster Fernando Torres and thus far disappointing Demba Ba.

Steve Clarke has looked glum its fair to say for a lot of this season and when you think about it, who can blame him as looking for a replacement for Lukaku is going to prove one heck of a task for his club. In regards to Chelsea it looks like those constantly preaching for Chelsea to give Lukaku a chance will get their wish, although it is probably best not to get his name on the back of your shirt just yet given that the Blues will find it hard to resist temptation of bringing in new strikers.