Chelsea have Lukaku replacement right under their nose amid £122m claim

Chelsea have been told that Armando Broja could be Romelu Lukaku's long-term replacement with the Belgian's future up in the air.

The Blues youngster is excelling on loan at Southampton with seven goals from just 13 starts in all competitions following an impressive spell with Eredivisie outfit Vitesse Arnhem last term.

The 20-year-old is set to return to Stamford Bridge in the summer despite reports that the Saints are looking to make the move permanent.

It's claimed that Ralph Hasenhuttl's men were preparing a £25m club-record bid for Broja in January, while Newcastle were also credited with interest, but neither came to fruition.

Broja could turn out to be a useful asset for Thomas Tuchel next season, however, given Chelsea's well-documented issues at the top end of the pitch.

Should Thomas Tuchel utilise Armando Broja next season? Comment below

Timo Werner has struggled in front of goal since arriving at the club, while Lukaku claimed back in December that he wasn't happy following his £97m move from Inter Milan.

And Brjoa's former Vitesse teammate Thomas Bruns reckons the young striker will play a pivotal role in the Chelsea first team as Mason Mount, who also had a spell at the Dutch club, has shown there is a pathway for academy graduates.

Bruns also believes Broja can eventually succeed Lukaku if he leaves the club.

Talking to Dutch outlet Voetbal, he said: "He sees Mason Mount as his example.

"He also did well at Vitesse and is now a key player at Chelsea.

"No shocking numbers, but apart from those ten goals, he has shown what other qualities he has. I think he can make it to the first team at Chelsea within four years.

"That will also be his goal. They will need a new striker anyway if Lukaku wants to move on in the long run. I think he could do that."

Lukaku controversially went on record to say he wasn't satisfied being in and out of Tuchel's side in his debut season at Chelsea.

The former Everton striker also expressed his desire to return to Inter one day as he admitted regret over the way he left the San Siro club.

He said via Gianluca Di Marzio: "Physically I am fine, even better than before. This condition is due to my two years in Italy in which I worked a lot with trainers and nutritionists.

"It is something that will remain for always with me. However, I cannot say that I am happy with the situation, this is normal. I think that Tuchel has chosen to play with another module and I just have to not give up, continue to work and be a professional

"I think everything that has happened would have done differently, come I left Inter, as I talked to the fans, are things that annoy me.

"Now I think it is right to talk because I have always said that I have Inter in my heart and one day I sincerely hope to be able to play there again.

"I am in love with Italy. This is the time to let people know what really happened without speaking badly about people because I'm not like that."

He went on to conclude: "I want to apologize enormously to the Inter fans.

"I think I was wrong: the way I left had to be handled differently. I should have talked to you first. because the things you have done for me, for my family, for my mother, for my son will remain forever in my life.

"I really hope with all my heart to be able to return to Inter one day and not at the end of my career. I would like to return when I am still at high levels to try to win even more with the Nerazzurri shirt."