Sky Sports journalist Fabrizio Romano has reported that Inter Milan and Man United have concluded an initial meeting over a move for striker Romelu Lukaku.
Romano said that nothing has been decided but that talks will continue after Inter tabled a bid and made it clear they want to buy the player.
He added that Man United will decide on a loan and obligation to buy deal, and how much they’d be willing to sell Lukaku for.
#Inter meeting done with Man United. Nothing decided yet, it was just the start. Inter made their bid and told they strongly want to sign Lukaku. Official talks started. Man Utd will give their answer soon about the loan+obligation to buy – and about the price ???? #MUFC #ManUnited
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 11, 2019
This comes after Goal had reported the two sides would meet today for talks in London.
They quoted Lukaku as saying (via Mediaset): “It is good that Conte went to Inter, for me, he is the best coach in the world.
“As for my future, I have already made a decision that I still cannot communicate publicly out of respect for Manchester United with whom I have a contract.”
VERDICT
It sounds like Lukaku is ready to leave and hook up with a manager who has tried to sign him before at Juventus and then Chelsea. The 26-year-old struggled to get into the United team under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who favoured Marcus Rashford before giving Lukaku five starts where he netted two braces. It’s time to move Lukaku on, though. Rashford is the future for United and after signing a new contract that keeps him at Old Trafford until 2023, it’s time for Solksjaer to show faith in him and make him the clear number one up front. United just need to maximise how much they get for Lukaku, a striker who’s still among the very best in the world. 48 goals in 81 games for Belgium is better than his 42 in 96 for United, but he’s scored plenty wherever he’s been. He needs a new start, United need a fresh start with dynamic, young players and a move to Inter would seem to suit everyone.