Speaking on the Transfer Window Podcast, Duncan Castles and Ian McGarry have given an update on Romelu Lukaku’s transfer status as reports emerge about Tottenham and Manchester City’s interest in the Belgian.
The journalists gave a very lengthy run-down of Lukaku’s situation.
What’s been said?
McGarry’s information is that Lukaku is in two minds about his future and that he hasn’t spoken to Inter’s new manager about his future yet.
“Former Everton striker Romelu Lukaku is in a bit of a quandary Duncan. He finds himself being the Golden Boot winner in Serie A, having won the Scudetto, but given the club’s financial problems as well as the fact they have changed manager, a manager in Antonio Conte was ‘Papa Conte’ to Lukaku, who he has praised on numerous occasions for being like a father figure.” McGarry said.
“Simone Inzaghi is the incoming coach, another formidable Serie A striker who you think would understand Lukaku and his needs. We understand that Lukaku is yet to speak to Lukaku about his future, and Lukaku is in two minds.
“On one side, he is very comfortable and likes living in Italy and loves Serie A, obviously he has had a successful season, so he is not desperate to change. However, on the other side, Chelsea want a new number nine, and Thomas Tuchel wants a striker of Lukaku’s style and physicality. They have the money and the capacity, and he of course spent time at Chelsea earlier in his career.
“His transfer fee will be high, in excess of €100m, his wages will also be high, but we know Chelsea are very cash rich.”
Duncan Castles, the podcast’s co-host, then gave his information on Lukaku’s situation.
“Lukaku, I am told is playing a waiting game, as you described, he likes life in Italy, but he is not impressed by the fact Conte has left and he wants to know the status of the club and what he’s capable of achieving on the pitch.
“He has the Euros coming up, which is very important to him, the word I have is that he’s going to focus on that and wait and see. Chelsea, although there have been noises, are not pushing hard with the player, as of yet. Inzaghi was told that Lukaku would not be sold as a condition of coming to the club.
“It looks like Inzaghi is not going to be forced to sell the player, it looks like Inter have shifted position in terms of being able to move other players out.
“Lukaku has been talked about as a candidate to go to Manchester City, but the information I’m getting is that he’s not keen to return to Manchester, he’s lived in that city, and it’s not a place he would be interested in going back to.”
Up in the air
It seems as though Manchester City are out of the running to sign Lukaku as he doesn’t want to return to Manchester, while Chelsea are yet to formalise their interest in him.
This is very interesting for Spurs. The London club have recently been linked with a move, and while McGarry and Castles didn’t mention the London club, their pursuit of Antonio Conte could put them in the driver’s seat in this race.
Inter have promised Inzaghi that Lukaku won’t be sold, but the player is in two minds about his future, so it’s very much a situation that is up in the air.
This is a story to keep an eye on in the coming weeks, especially if you’re a Tottenham fan.
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