Romelu Lukaku is reportedly set to snub a return to Stamford Bridge as he now prefers a transfer to Manchester United over Chelsea.
The Sun are claiming that there has been a turn of the tide in Romelu Lukaku’s preference towards a summer move in the Premier League. The Everton superstar has been in the midst of an intense transfer battle between Chelsea and Manchester United.
Reports had claimed that Lukaku was indeed keen on a return to Chelsea and was ready to snub Manchester United on his way to Stamford Bridge in the summer. However, recent reports have claimed the opposite, stating that Lukaku is now preferring a move to Manchester United instead.
Romelu Lukaku has proved himself after joining Everton. The Toffees have found a regular menacing presence upfront in Lukaku, who has found the back of the net with some impressive recurrence, especially this season.
And with the player in the clear lead (24) to win the Golden Boot in the league this season, there have been widespread rumours of the Belgian international wanting to take the next step to regular European football – Chelsea and Manchester United both linked with the player.
Everton striker Romelu Lukaku could reject a return to Chelsea.
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Indeed, both teams are in need of a quality striker upfront in the summer. While Chelsea are all set to lose Diego Costa in the summer, with the Spaniard more likely to move than not at the present moment, Manchester United also have a spot up for grabs with Zlatan Ibrahimovic out with a long-term ACL injury.
In all fairness, a move to Chelsea is always likely to interest the 23-year-old more, with a chance to redeem himself after his earlier disappointing spell at Stamford Bridge. However, Manchester United is not too far with Jose Mourinho, manager from Lukaku’s time at Chelsea, presently at Old Trafford.
Lukaku has earlier mentioned that there is no harshness between the two and that Mourinho has regularly encouraged the Belgian, even when he sanctioned the Belgian’s exit from the club. Now, with Manchester United in need of a world-class striker, Mourinho is looking to push for a move for Lukaku.
The 23-year-old forward, reportedly, is now favouring a move to Manchester United due to the rigorous demands of Antonio Conte’s footballing style. As per the report, the Italian demands his strikers to put in extra defensive work and to hassle the defenders, something that is not exactly considered a part of the Belgian’s skill set.
Jose Mourinho is also known for a similar style that demands his strikers and attackers to track back. However, he has shown that he is willing to deviate from his style in the presence of charismatic forwards a-la Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
And Lukaku feels he can play the same role for Mourinho that Zlatan Ibrahimovic has played this season. The report states Everton are looking for a fee around £80 million – a figure the two suitors would be more than willing to part with in order to secure the services of Lukaku.
Chelsea or Manchester United – Lukaku’s exit from Everton seems to be becoming more and more evident by the day. But, it looks like the Belgian might not be moving too far, with Manchester looking nearer than London as of now.
