Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku is reportedly being monitored by Serie A champions Juventus with a summer move being lined up.
As per a report from Italian outlet Calciomercato, Manchester United could lose star striker Romelu Lukaku in the next summer window, with reigning Italian champions Juventus keeping tabs on the Belgian.
Manchester United signed Lukaku from Everton in the summer of 2017 in a deal worth £75 million. The 25-year-old made a splendid start to life at Old Trafford, finishing the 2017-18 campaign as the leading goalscorer for the club with 27 strikes to his name across all competitions.
However, his sophomore year at the club hasn’t gone all according to plans. So far in 2018-19, the burly Belgian has found the net just six times in 22 fixtures in all competitions, with his overall effectiveness on the field being called into question on numerous occasions over the course of the campaign.
Lukaku’s poor form, however, seems to have had no bearing on Juventus’ interest in the striker. The Bianconeri are believed to be in the market for a long-term replacement for Mario Mandzukic and seem to have narrowed down on the former Chelsea striker to take over from the former Croatian international, who will be 33 by the time next season kicks off.
The 79-time capped Belgian international has previously gone on the record saying that he would be open to a move to Juventus should an opportunity come up, giving the Serie A heavyweights an edge in their pursuit of the striker.
Interestingly, Lukaku is not the only Manchester United player Juventus have been linked with in the recent past. Academy graduate Marcus Rashford is another player who has reportedly been monitored by the Bianconeri, while French international Anthony Martial too, has been touted as a potential target.
Along with the aforementioned forwards, Manchester United’s record signing Paul Pogba has also been tipped for a return to Turin, with Juventus maintaining a serious interest in re-signing the World Cup winner.
Lukaku is contracted to Manchester United till the summer of 2022. The Red Devils would be reluctant to offload the Belgian just two years after investing so heavily in him. But, should his form fail to improve over the second half of the season, they might consider a sale and would want to recoup most of the £75 million that they spent to bring him to the club.
Along with Juventus, there had been reports of Real Madrid also keeping an eye on Lukaku not very long ago. With interest in the 25-year-old mounting, it remains to be seen if he remains a Manchester United player come the next season.
