Manchester United are reportedly set to hold out for £80 million fee for Belgian forward Romelu Lukaku amid interest from Inter Milan.
According to a report by The Times, Manchester United are ready to allow Romelu Lukaku to join Inter Milan in the summer transfer window. The Premier League heavyweights though, will only allow that to happen if the Nerazzurri shell out £80 million to sign the Belgian striker.
Lukaku joined Manchester United from Everton in the summer of 2017 in a £75 million deal. The Belgian has been the club’s top scorer since making his way to Old Trafford, but has also frustrated to a great extent with his tendency to switch off and go several games without making a noteworthy contribution.
With Manchester United desperately in need of a prolific striker, the fact that Lukaku, a big money signing, blows hot and cold so much is anything but ideal. That is perhaps, the reason why United are open to the idea of parting ways with the 26-year-old forward, if the right offer comes their way.
Inter Milan are among the clubs that have been linked with Lukaku over a summer move, and for good reason. The future of former captain Mauro Icardi continues to remain uncertain at San Siro, leaving just Lautaro Martinez as a viable option to lead the line for the Nerazzurri.
The links with Lukaku thus, make sense. And, with Antonio Conte now at the helm at San Siro, Inter appear set to step up their pursuit of the Belgian forward. Interestingly, while he was still the Chelsea boss, Conte had been keen on signing Lukaku from Everton before he eventually joined Manchester United.
The report suggests that Inter are planning to make a formal approach for Lukaku next week, with the striker on top of Conte’s shopping list. Manchester United though, want to recoup a large portion of the sum they paid to sign the Belgian forward, having also paid £15 million in add-ons to Everton.
To that end, the Red Devils have slapped an £80 million price tag on the player. Inter though, are unwilling to match the valuation at the present moment, as per The Times, and are instead set to explore the option of initially signing him on a loan deal with an obligation to buy him next summer.
But, Manchester United will only part ways with Lukaku if their price is met this summer as they want to cash in on his market value currently. If Inter are to afford the fee, they will have to sell Icardi and it remains to be seen if they can find a way to finance an £80 million deal for the Belgian international.
