Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku, the club’s second-costliest transfer of all-time, is set to leave the club in the summer, with Inter Milan reportedly interested in signing the Belgian forward. The English club want to get as much as £62 million for Lukaku but could settle for a fee of around £55 million, as per the report. The Belgian striker has also agreed to a contract with the Italian giants which is a little lesser than the £250,000 wages that he gets at Manchester United.
The Belgian did not have a great 2018-19 season, usurped by Marcus Rashford as United’s main striker under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Here are 3 players who can replace him at Old Trafford if the move does go through:
Paulo Dybala
Argentine attacker Paulo Dybala could leave Juventus in the summer transfer window as he is no longer a key player for the Italian side and there have been reports regarding his uncertain position in the club since Ronaldo’s arrival. Dybala may not be a strong, physical centre forward like Lukaku, but he can play in and around the main striker, linking play and threading through balls for the attackers.
The 25-year-old is a versatile player who can play on the right, behind the striker, or as a striker while having the ability to cross, shoot from distance, and open up defences with his passing. Dybala scored 10 goals and assisted 4 times in all competitions in the 2018-19 season.
Moussa Dembele
Moussa Dembele is one of the most exciting forwards in European football with the 22-year-old striker impressing for Lyon in Ligue 1. Dembele is no stranger to English football, having come through the ranks at Fulham, playing in the Premier League and Championship, before having a successful stint at Celtic where he scored 51 goals for the club before a move back to France with Lyon.
In his first season with Lyon, Dembele ended the campaign with 20 goals and 4 assists, terrorizing defences with his direct running and clinical finishing. A young and talented forward, Dembele could be available for around £40 million.
Timo Werner
Another young and exciting forward, German striker Timo Werner has been a consistent goalscorer for RB Leipzig in the three seasons that they have been in Germany’s top-flight and has racked up 61 goals in 114 appearances for the club in all competitions.
The 23-year-old has pace in abundance, and that coupled with his quick dribbling is a nightmare for most defenders. Werner can drop deep and link-up play while also being good at running past defenders. United have to move quickly if they want to sign Werner as Premier League rivals Liverpool are favourites to land him.
Stats Courtesy: Whoscored