Manchester City are interested in signing Romelu Lukaku from Inter Milan this summer. As announced this week by the club, Sergio Aguero, City’s all-time leading scorer, will not be signing a new deal when his contract expires at the end of the season. And, will thus leave the club as a free agent after a trophy-laden decade in Manchester.
City are also considering a couple of other targets with Erling Haaland’s name regularly in the mix. But Mino Raiola’s relationship with Pep and the fact that almost all the major clubs in Europe have been linked with the Norwegian sensation means the odds are stacked up against Manchester City. In such a scenario, a possible alternative seen by City is Romelu Lukaku.
Rumours have surfaced that Romelu Lukaku might have to quit Inter Milan, and reports from EuroSport have suggested that this may be the case if the club’s difficult financial condition involving its owners, Suning Holdings Group, is not sorted quickly.
Is Romelu Lukaku the right option for Manchester City?
Romelu Lukaku has shown his worth in Serie A after a £71million move from Manchester United. The 27-year-old is an out and out striker and can replace the goals of Sergio Aguero for the English club. He has spearheaded his team’s title charge this season scoring 25 goals in 34 games in all competitions.
Pep can add Lukaku to the squad who can provide a new dimension in attack. If they ever decide to take a more straightforward approach in their attacking play, Lukaku can be vital in that regard as well.
In his time at Inter, Lukaku has also equalled the record set by Brazilian legend Ronaldo, scoring 34 goals in his debut season, the most by any player.
The responsibility on Lukaku’s broad shoulders is huge in Serie A and he has dealt with the pressure remarkably well. If any move materialises in the future, he is likely to see his goal scoring workload shared across the frontline with City’s creative midfielders and wingers capable of regularly chipping in with goals.
City’s expected goals ratio (xG) also remains consistently high signifying the huge number of chances they create, something Romelu Lukaku will relish at the Etihad. His penalty-box presence and heading ability is also something which Pep will welcome, given the fantastic crossers available in the team.
The Belgian international has a number of qualities that can come in handy for any top side: whether it’s giving his marker the slip in tight spaces, holding the ball up to enable others to take advantage of the space, patrolling the penalty box, or floating wide to turn provider for his fellow attackers. There are a lot of strengths in his locker along with the added experience now which can ensure a successful stint at a club like Manchester City.
So, the simple answer to: is he the right option? will be “Yes”