According to Italian news outlet Sportsmediaset, Internazionale are closer to agreeing a deal to sign Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku, with a mooted of around £70million. The deal would not come as a major surprise, as new Inter boss Antonio Conte is a big fan of the Belgian striker.
Struggled last season with Manchester United
Lukaku moved to Manchester United for an initial fee of around £75million rising to a potential fee of £90million from Everton in 2017 after four seasons on Merseyside. The 26-year-old was prolific in front of goal for the Merseysider’s, with a record of a goal every other goal in the top-flight.
The Belgian international moved to Manchester to advance his career. He enjoyed a promising first campaign at United and still has a respectable goals record of 28 goals in 66 top-flight appearances for the Red Devils.
However, he was not always a starter for United last season, as youngster, Marcus Rashford challenged him for the central striker role at United. He also fell out of favour with the fans, who would not shed many tears if he did leave the club this summer.
Not fulfilling his potential
Lukaku has never hidden his ambition to play at the best possible level. In club football playing in the Champions League is the pinnacle. The striker has achieved that with the Red Devils.
He will not be playing in Europe’s elite competition next season with United, who finished the season in sixth-place last season, so will be playing in the Europa League.
Lukaku seems to have a giant ego too and believes he can be the best in the world. It is nice to be ambitious, but at the minute that seems laughable on the striker’s part.
He scored just 12 times in 32 Premier League last season, despite an upturn in form after the arrival of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as Red Devils boss. No doubt he could improve his goal record elsewhere. However, his team needs to play to his strengths, in the way that previous club Everton did.
Inter the favourites to sign Lukaku
Manchester United boss Solskjaer looks set to revamp his ailing squad this summer. The revamp may well mean that the Red Devils boss needs to sell some of his underperforming squad this summer.
With Rashford available to him, Solskjaer can afford to recoup some cash via the sale of the Belgian international. Big-spending French outfit PSG had previously been linked with a move for the striker. However, Conte’s appointment as Inter boss has made the Nerazzurri the favourites to sign the 26-year-old this summer. Maybe a switch to Serie A will see an improvement in fortune.
For much of the season, Lukaku seemed to struggle for fitness and looked slightly overweight. Staying at Manchester United for much longer is unlikely to be good for his career.
Maybe a switch to a new club, country and league will motivate him to up his game. It may even be what he needs to get back into the peak physical condition he was in at Everton.
Lukaku has not been a resounding success at Manchester United. Obviously, if he had been a success, then the Red Devils would not be even considering selling the striker. However, as it stands, a move to Italy and Inter may just be the best solution for all parties involved.
Will Romelu Lukaku be plying his trade at Inter next season?
