Romelu Lukaku has told friends that he wants to rejoin Chelsea this summer, which is poised to spark another bitter battle between the Premier League leaders and Everton.

Chelsea’s relationship with Everton was severely damaged by the wrangle over John Stones two years ago that the Goodison Park club eventually won.

Stones eventually joined Manchester City a year ago and sources have told The Telegraph that the fallout between Everton and Chelsea was so bad that the Goodison club would rather sell Lukaku to Manchester United than see him go to Stamford Bridge.

But Everton’s position is complicated by Lukaku’s desire to return to Stamford Bridge, which club insiders are aware of, and doubts over whether Jose Mourinho really wants the Belgian at United.

Mourinho has made Antoine Griezmann his No1 target this summer and is believed to still hold doubts over Lukaku, who was not picked when he was Chelsea manager.