Lukaku The Subject Of German Interest as €19m Bid Looms

Borussia Dortmund will follow up their interest in Chelsea's Kevin de Bruyne by launching a bid for team-mate Romelu Lukaku, reports in Germany claim.

The departure of Mario Gotze and Robert Lewandowski's possible exit leaves manager Jurgen Klopp with at least €37m to play with in the summer.

General manager Michael Zorc revealed on Tuesday that the Champions League runners-up are actively pursuing De Bruyne, and now Bild claim that they are also hoping to bring Lukaku on board with the promise of more playing time.

Lukaku has returned to Chelsea this summer after a season-long loan with West Bromwich Albion, where he netted 17 Premier League goals, more than either of The Blues' misfiring forwards Fernando Torres and Demba Ba.

Such was Lukaku's success, that Baggies boss Steve Clarke would be open to signing the 20 year old for a second spell.

"If Chelsea want to leave him out for another season somewhere, I think we would have a strong chance of getting him back here, but it is a discussion for the summer," Clarke told reporters.

But Dortmund are reportedly hoping to land Lukaku on a permanent deal, with the Belgian open to a move to the Bundesliga club.

"Dortmund would be a good choice, especially since the club can win the Champions League again next year," Lukaku said.

Having invested in excess of £25m in both Lukaku and De Bruyne - and having rewarded the pair with limited first team opportunities - Chelsea appear unlikely to part with the Belgian pair, especially after Mourinho insisted both would be involved in first-team duties next season.

De Bruyne, who is still to make a professional appearance for Chelsea, was understood to have agreed a move to join Bayer Leverkusen on loan next season as part of the deal which took Andre Schurrle to Stamford Bridge.

Despite his Chelsea career seemingly being handed a lifeline by Mourinho and then by the decision not to send him out on loan to Leverkusen, Dortmund have claimed the 21 year old wants to join them this summer.

"We are interested in the signature of Kevin De Bruyne. We are not at the helm in this respect, of course," he said.

"I am however able to confirm the player does want to make a transfer to our club."