Manchester United are following Romelu Lukaku’s situation this summer as they eye him as a potential alternative to Joshua Zirkzee.
That’s according to Calciomercato.it, who report that Manchester United would consider a surprise move to bring Lukaku back to Old Trafford this summer if they can’t get a deal for Zirkzee completed.
Several reports have indicated that Manchester United are looking to add to their forward line this summer, despite spending big on Rasmus Hojlund last year.
Zirkzee appears to be the number one target on that front after impressing at Bologna last season and several reports have had Manchester United pushing forward for him over the last week.
The latest of those came yesterday and then today, with it insisted that they had convinced Zirkzee to join them this summer and that then followed up a claim their interest in him was growing by the day.
The big stumbling block is the fact that Bologna want €40m for their striker, while his entourage have also made big demands, the latter already making a move to AC Milan stall and become complicated.
The same likely applies to Manchester United and, CM.it now report that if a deal for Zirkzee doesn’t work out, then Romelu Lukaku is being looked at as an alternative.
His future is also up in the air after returning to Chelsea from a loan spell at Roma, who have decided not to sign him on a permanent basis.
Chelsea don’t want him, he wants to leave as well and the Belgian has subsequently been linked with a number of clubs, including some in Saudi Arabia.
CM.it now say, in an exclusive, that Manchester United may explore the idea of bringing him back to the club if a move for Zirkzee works out.
On the one hand that could make sense if he is to play the role of experienced striker to help develop and take the pressure off of Rasmus Hojlund. There are numerous arguments that speak against it, though.
First of all, it seems unlikely Manchester United would want to pay Chelsea the €44m they want to get rid of Lukaku, while that is also a big price to pay for a player who is now 31 years old.
There is also the fact that his previous spell at Manchester United, was not one either the club or the player particularly enjoyed and there’s never been any indication either side would be keen on a reunion.
On the face of it, it’s simply a deal that doesn’t make sense, but CM.it insist the possibility is there if negotiations for Zirkzee do not pan out.
