Newcastle United are reportedly planning to launch a shock bid for the out-of-favour striker Romelu Lukaku, who flopped for Belgium at the World Cup.
According to Italian outlet Calciomercato, Newcastle United are plotting an ambitious approach for Chelsea flop Romelu Lukaku next summer. However, the report adds that any prospective move for the Belgian hinges on Newcastle finishing in the top four this season.
Lukaku originally joined Chelsea from Anderlecht back in 2011 and had promising loan spells with West Bromwich Albion and Everton before joining the latter in a permanent move in July 2014.
A high-profile switch to Old Trafford three years later proved disappointing for the Belgian striker, but he rediscovered his shooting boots in Serie A after joining Inter for around £70 million in the summer of 2019.
An impressive output of 64 goals in 95 appearances not only helped Inter land their first Serie A title in over a decade but he was being regarded as one of, if not, the world’s best strikers during that period before he moved back to Chelsea for in a reported £97.5 million deal in August 2021.
And although he scored 15 goals in 44 appearances, the Belgian striker endured a tough time and largely struggled to make a serious impact during his second spell at Stamford Bridge. He subsequently returned to Inter in the summer on a season-long loan deal, with niggling injury issues and a lack of fitness limiting his minutes.
Off the back of a calamitous World Cup outing against Croatia that saw Belgium crash out of the tournament in the group stages itself, Lukaku is desperate to return to being a star man for Inter in the second half of the season to boost his chances of securing a permanent exit from Stamford Bridge next summer. And Newcastle United have now emerged as a possible option.
Newcastle looked a little under-strength upfront earlier this season, with new boy Alexander Isak, Callum Wilson, and Allan Saint-Maximin all picking up muscle injuries at various points, but Howe will soon have a multitude of options battling it out for only three starting slots in his favoured 4-3-3 formation.
Add to that an in-form Miguel Almiron, and Joelinton also competing for wing position, the Magpies have wealth of attacking options these days. While Howe could benefit from adding another versatile striking option, signing a 29-year-old out-of-sorts striker, Lukaku, on massive wages is exactly the polar opposite of the canny recruitment they have carried out as of yet.
His failure in Qatar with Belgium perfectly epitomizes all of Lukaku’s limitations as a target man. He looked exhausted and he no longer has the power or durability of his prime years.
The Inter Milan striker’s first touch has been publicly criticized for being a letdown, affecting his link-up play, which is crucial for Eddie Howe’s system. Furthermore, adding another out-and-out striker could hinder club-record signing Isak’s progress at St James’ Park.
While there’s no denying a confident and motivated Lukaku can well resurrect his flailing career, Newcastle would do well to dodge this expensive bullet, especially now that they are under the close watch of FFP following their splashing in the last two windows. To that end, 25-year-old Borussia Monchengladbach and France attacker Marcus Thuram would be the perfect low-cost versatile striker option.
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