4 Clubs Romelu Lukaku Could Sign For This Summer
Reuters / Andrew Yates
Romelu Lukaku has been in sensational form this season, and has already bagged an astonishing 21 goals and 6 assists in 28 Premier League appearances for Everton so far. In fact, his impressive performances have led to the player describe himself as “one of the best strikers in the league”.
Moreover, with the Belgium international rejecting a new Everton deal so as to fulfill his desire to play for the best of clubs and compete for trophies, coupled with the fact that top teams from all across the continent are reportedly looking to secure his services, it is quite possible for the 23-year-old to leave the Toffees at the end of the season.
Lukaku’s future evidently lies away from Goodison Park, and we now take a look the possible clubs the talented striker could end up joining in the summer:
Jose Mourinho was the man who offloaded Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea and sold him to Everton. However, if Juan Mata’s current form and involvement in United’s starting line-ups is any indication, the Special One seems to have completely altered his philosophy to suit the attacking approach needed at Old Trafford. Furthermore, with Lukaku no longer a developing young talent, but very much a complete product, Mourinho could well and truly use the Belgian in his squad.
United’s current main man Zlatan Ibrahimovic remains unsure as to whether he will be extending his stay in Manchester once this season ends, whereas Marcus Rashford remains too young to single-handedly lead the club’s strikeforce, meaning the Red Devils can be expected to make a serious attempt to lure Romelu Lukaku to the Theatre of Dreams in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Manchester United definitely have the financial resources to get the transfer done as well as fulfill the player’s wage demands, and thanks to the relationship the club has recently developed with the striker’s agent, Mino Raiola, Old Trafford does look like Lukaku’s most-probable destination at present.
Possibility of Lukaku joining Manchester United: 8/10.
REUTERS/Nigel Roddis
The world of football saw some sensational returns take place in the 2016 summer transfer window, viz. Paul Pogba returning to Manchester United, Alvaro Morata to Real Madrid, Mario Götze to Borussia Dortmund, Mats Hummels to Bayern Munich, and David Luiz to Chelsea, amongst others. And this trend could continue in the upcoming summer window as well, with Romelu Lukaku taking a u-turn and heading back to his former club, Chelsea.
Blues boss Antonio Conte recently spoke about the Blues letting go of Lukaku in 2014, by labeling the transfer as ‘a mistake’. When asked about Lukaku and De Bruyne’s departures, the Italian claimed: “It’s very difficult to always take the best decision. Sometimes it can happen that you think one thing and then, in the future, something else happens. A different situation.
“I think, above all, in football it’s not simple to give always a correct evaluation for players. Sometimes a player who, in the last two years or so, didn’t play well goes on to have a fantastic season. That happens. But it’s not right to talk about mistakes.”
Having said that, Conte very much remains in the hunt to secure Lukaku’s signature in the upcoming summer transfer window in order to bolster the Chelsea attack, if reports are to be believed. However, as keen as the 23-year-old may be to return to the Stamford Bridge, doubts linger over this transfer as long as Diego Costa remains the main striker for the Blues.
Possibility of Lukaku joining Chelsea: 7/10.
BAYERN MUNICH
Romelu Lukaku was linked with a big-money move to Bundesliga Giants Bayern Munich last summer, and despite some initial negotiations between the Bavarian club officials and the player’s representatives, a transfer failed to materialise. However, with the star striker determined to part ways with Everton this year, a move to Germany is back on the cards.
Romelu’s father, Roger Lukaku, revealed in an interview last year that a move to Bayern Munich would be the best possible transfer for the Everton man. Roger was quoted as saying (via Goal): “At the moment, I think Manchester United or Bayern Munich are the most suitable for him, especially Bayern. Every year they play at least the semifinals of the Champions League and the Bundesliga will benefit him tremendously.
“To Italy he cannot go, because they keep closed at the back and make it way too hard for an attacker. What is certain, to continue to make progress, he needs to change clubs, but we are mainly engaged in making the right choice.”
But with Robert Lewandowski very much in his prime and still running the show at Bayern, Lukaku wouldn’t consider moving to the Allianz Arena unless he is guaranteed a starting spot.
Possibility of Lukaku joining Bayern: 5/10.
EVERTON
Reuters / Scott Heppell
Yes, you read it right: Everton! As determined as Romelu Lukaku is to leave the Merseyside club in search for success and silverware, there still exists a minor possibility that the player will end up extending his stay with Everton, just like he did last summer.
Everton have been on the rise ever since Ronald Koeman took over as the first team boss, and in a season or two, the Dutchman could easily make a similar impact as Mauricio Pochettino did at Tottenham, and get the Toffees competing for at least a Top 4 spot and the Europa League, if not the league title along with the Champions League.
Koeman has already stated that he will be doing whatever it takes to convince Lukaku to change his mind. Speaking after Everton’s 4-0 win over Hull in the Premier League – wherein the 23-year-old Belgian scored a brace – Koeman revealed (via BBC): “You need to have hope in life. The fans love Romelu Lukaku and everyone loves Rom.
“You are surprised about this (Lukaku’s performance)? He is a professional and every professional gives the best for the club, the players, for everybody. Of course we like to keep best players and we will do the maximum to keep these players. But the final decision will be with the player himself.”
So yes, as unlikely as it seems at present, Romelu Lukaku could very well end up signing a contract extension with Everton, because after all, you can rarely predict a thing in this game called Football.
Possibility of Lukaku signing a contract extension at Everton: 4/10.
