According to multiple outlets, Romelu Lukaku transfer talks have finally begun between Manchester United and Inter Milan. This transfer narrative has been prevalent for some time, partially fueled by both the big Belgian striker, and new Inter boss Antonio Conte, expressing their mutual respect and admiration in public.
The Lukaku-Conte bromance also goes back to at least the summer of 2017, when the then Chelsea manager was closing in on acquiring the then Everton forward; before United swooped in.
Flash forward to Thursday, and Lukaku missing United’s training session, which was viewed by about 12,000 onlookers. (It also featured a plane sent by Liverpool supporters to troll the team)
United confirmed that Lukaku, as well as Anthony Martial, did “alternative gym-based training” away from the rest of the team and the cameras today. The club also said that Lukaku was carrying a “little problem.”
So with Lukaku battling a minor fitness issue, it remains to be seen whether or not he will feature in the friendly against Perth Glory on Saturday.
Meanwhile The Guardian reports that Inter’s Sporting Director was in London for talks with United on Wednesday, with the club offering about €70 million, to be paid over the course of two years, in exchange for the striker.
It has also been reported that Inter will approach the idea of Matteo Darmian being sent the other way as part of the deal, and that United will use the funds generated from the Lukaku sale to acquire centre back and long time target Harry Maguire from Leicester City. In other words, if all these scenarios actually play out, then this is a deal that would set off a lot of transfer dominoes.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly appears on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
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