The Belgian has caught the eye of a number of Europe's top clubs after his free-scoring efforts for Anderlecht, but he has made it clear he is determined to move to Stamford Bridge.
That move came one step closer on Monday morning when the 18-year-old took part in a medical at the Blues' training ground in Cobham after the two clubs agreed a fee, thought to be between £15million and £20million.
Lukaku would only say he thought Andre Villas-Boas was a "very good manager" when bombarded with questions by the waiting media as he stepped off his Eurostar train at London St Pancras station.
He was expected to return to Belgium to report for international duty before coming back to London on Thursday to finalise the deal following his country's home friendly against Slovenia.
Lukaku's power, pace and eye for goal have seen him compared with current Chelsea striker Didier Drogba.
His record in Belgian football is impressive. He made his first-team debut at Anderlecht when he was 16 and has averaged almost a goal every two games in the Jupiler League.
His goals helped Anderlecht win the Belgian title in 2010 and he scored three times in the Champions League qualifying round last season, although the team went out before the group stage.
Lukaku, whose father Roger played for Zaire in the 1990s, has won 10 caps for Belgium, scoring two goals.
If the deal is completed as expected, Lukaku could figure in Villas-Boas' plans for Sunday's Barclays Premier League opener against Stoke.
Source: PA
Source: PA