Chelsea have reportedly told Juventus they are not willing to loan out striker Romelu Lukaku.
Italian source La Stampa claims the Serie A champions have made the Belgium international their top summer transfer window target but have so far only offered a temporary deal with a view to a permanent move.
The west London outfit have little interest in farming him out for at third successive campaign, following stints at West Bromwich Albion and Everton, but could be tempted to part company with him if a big-money bid is placed on the table.
With Juventus yet to alter their own stance, the Toffees and La Liga top dogs Atletico Madrid have been handed fresh hope of securing the 21-year-old’s services.
If Lukaku does not end up in Turin it will represent another setback for Juve, who have just lost their latest attacking recruit, Alvaro Morata, to injury.
The Spaniard, who only joined from Real Madrid at the weekend, has been ruled out for between five and six weeks with a knee problem he picked up in training.
Juve also missed out to Roma in the race for Hellas Verona star Juan Iturbe, leaving them to ponder a short-term deal with free agent Samuel Eto’o.
The 33-year-old, who left Stamford Bridge in the summer after one season, is seemingly keen to return to Italy, where he spent two seasons with Inter Milan.