MANCHESTER UNITED | INTER MILAN
Man United to demand €90m for Inter target Lukaku - reports
The Belgian striker is reportedly a top target of incoming Inter coach Antonio Conte, who tried to sign him for Chelsea in 2017.
Manchester United have slapped a price tag of £80 million (90 million euros) on Inter Milan target Roman Lukaku, reports The Times.
The Belgian striker joined United from Everton for an initial fee of £75 million (plus £15 million in add-ons) in 2017 and has been one of a number of high-profile signings in recent seasons who have failed to light up Old Trafford.
Coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants to unload a number of players this summer as he looks to rebuild his squad for next season and Lukaku is reportedly one of those deemed surplus to requirements.
Meanwhile incoming Inter coach Antonio Conte, who will replace the recently sacked Luciana Spalletti, is understood to be an admirer of the 26-year-old and reportedly tried to sign him for Chelsea in 2017.
With Conte’s appointment expected to be announced imminently, Inter are set to make a formal offer for Lukaku next week, according to The Times. Though it is unknown if the Italian club will be willing to meet United’s hefty price tag, considering his current estimated market value of 50 million euros (transfermarkt.com valuation).
Conte wants to axe Icardi
Another task understood to be on the top of Conte’s to-do list is getting rid of Argentine striker Mauro Icardi, whose tense fall-out with the club due to contractual issues has been well documented in recent months.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport (via The Sun), Icardi could finally face the axe over the ongoing contract dispute, which led to him being stripped of the captaincy in March, and Inter will look for around 80 million euros from any interested parties.
With United reportedly being keen to sign the Argentine, perhaps the Red Devils and Inter would not rule out some sort of swap deal involving Icardi and Lukaku.