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Transfer Rumors: Manchester United Looking for Big Splash with Romelu Lukaku

By Juan Pimiento

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 15: Romelu Lukaku of Everton celebrates scoring his team's third goal to make the score 3-1 during the Premier League match between Everton and Burnley at Goodison Park on April 15, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill Ltd/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 15: Romelu Lukaku of Everton celebrates scoring his team's third goal to make the score 3-1 during the Premier League match between Everton and Burnley at Goodison Park on April 15, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill Ltd/Getty Images) /
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s injury opened a potential hole for Manchester United to fill. Romelu Lukaku is considered to be a possible solution, but United must pay a steep price for his services.

“The group, next July 9, when we meet again for next season, is a strong group. So the new players, when they will arrive, will find a group more ready to go for big things,” said Jose Mourinho at a press conference following United’s 0-0 draw with Manchester City.

Could one of these new players be a world-class centre-forward? Mourinho certainly hopes so.

Ibra’s season-ending knee injury intensified the need for a bona fide striker. His 28 goals in 46 games across all competitions will need to be matched -or hopefully surpassed- next season and beyond.

Enter Romelu Lukaku.

At only 23 years of age, Lukaku has already established himself among the top strikers in the Premier League, if not Europe. The Belgian has accumulated 25 goals in 35 games thus far, 24 of which have come in league competition for Everton. He checks the most important box on the centre forward must-haves: scoring ability.

Lukaku excels when fed into space. Unlike Zlatan, the Belgian is deficient when playing with his back to the goal, despite his physical prowess. He has a keen sense for making the killer runs and utilizing his powerful stride and strength to find and win the ball in front of goal. Once there, Lukaku, naturally left-footed, can finish with either foot and with his head. His great skill when in the box can suit any tactic Mourinho decides to use, from counterattacking to possession and everything in between.

His numbers and his tape would make any United fan salivate. But making this wish a reality comes with a hefty price tag.

Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images /

Liverpool Echo reported a week ago Everton is seeking a whopping 100 million euros for Lukaku’s services. The nine-figure price is not foreign to United (see Pogba, Paul). However, if Mourinho wishes to bring not one, but multiple high-end transfers (see Griezmann, Antoine), the nine-figure tag could stifle United’s budget.

United is never shy to shell out ungodly amounts of money in transfers. Romelu Lukaku is a costly but smart investment not only as Ibra’s successor but as United’s next great goal scorer for years to come.

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