Man Utd face Romelu Lukaku conundrum as Inter balk at asking price
Manchester United are weighing up a decision to cash in on Romelu Lukaku now – or risk seeing his value plummet after a season on the sidelines.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made it clear Marcus Rashford will be his first-choice centre-forward next season, with Lukaku aware of his plans.
But the Belgium international has not been told he is surplus to requirements and United are not actively looking to sell him during this window.
Still, a fee in the region of £80m is believed to be their asking price if they are to let the striker go.Antonio Conte’s appointment at Inter Milan was expected to provide Lukaku with an Old Trafford escape route, but the Italians are understood to be baulking at United’s valuation.
Conte was desperate to take him to Chelsea two years ago when the 26-year-old joined United from Everton in a £75m deal. That figure could rise to £90m based on add-ons.
That explains United’s determination to make a profit on the second most expensive player in their history – even if Solskjaer primarily sees him as cover in attack.
The danger for United is the very real prospect of Lukaku’s value dropping after a year without regular first-team football.
Solskjaer’s preferred forward line next season is expected to be a front three of Rashford, Anthony Martial and a right-sided attacker the Norwegian plans to bring in this summer.
A deal for Daniel James from Swansea is on the verge of being sealed, but it remains to be seen how much first-team football the Wales winger will be given from the start.
It still leaves the futures of Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez in doubt.Lukaku is a far more saleable asset – and a record of 42 goals in two seasons at United means he still has numerous suitors, in addition to Conte.
It is also just a year on from his outstanding performances for Belgium in the World Cup when he established himself as one of the most effective strikers in the tournament.
Even if United failed to get their full asking price for Lukaku, it is likely they would be able to make back the vast majority of their outlay two years ago.
But it could be a different story next season if Lukaku is reduced to a bit part role.
The player, himself, has expressed a desire to play in Italy and the chance to link up with Conte, who he now shares the same agent with, at Inter would appear to be the ideal scenario.
The Italian giants consider Lukaku to be a more realistic target than Sanchez, due to the Chilean’s wages of around £450,000-a-week.
But United’s valuation remains a major obstacle to any deal being concluded.
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