The Story Until Deadline Day
The transfer saga of Manchester United’s Romelu Lukaku was getting twisted day by day. The Belgian striker was all set to undergo Inter Milan transfer at the end of last week, as Manchester United set a deadline for the deal to be done. According to the news, the Serie A side had been trying to complete the signing of the Manchester United striker all summer, though they have failed to meet the club’s valuation of the player. The Italian side Inter had come up with a bid of £54m for the 26-year-old but the Red Devils have rejected it. They are holding out for at least the £75m what they had paid Everton for Lukaku in 2017.
As it was later reported that the Italian side was dragging their interests into the negotiations. The Manchester based side was losing patience and did not want to let their striker go without time to sign a replacement for him. The transfer window would close on the 8th of August, with the date just round the corner.
The media reported on Tuesday night (last week) that United had set a deadline of seven days for the transfer deal of Lukaku to be completed. United have effectively given Inter until the end of July to come up with the cash. However if the ex Chelsea boss Antonio Conte’s side cannot produce a suitable offer then Lukaku is likely to stay at Old Trafford for the upcoming season as no other clubs have shown any interest in his services.
The Italian boss was thought to be furious that negotiations had taken so long and the deal could have broken down at any level. Conte promised the signing of Lukaku when he took the job this summer and he could go up to his level best to get the striker. Conte said that he is a United player and for this reason they must show great respect for the club, for the player and also for his own players. He also added that Lukaku is a player that he likes because he considers him a player that could improve their team. One side is his will and the other is his hope and on the other side they would see what they find with the club.
Whether Inter would come up with the funds or not may depended on them selling Mauro Icardi, which seemed a bit difficult. However, Juventus had been interested in the Argentine striker (and Lukaku too), but appeared to lose that interest in the recent times, while Icardi reportedly turned down an approach from Arsenal. The Premier League side (Manchester United) had been offered Icardi as part of the deal to take Lukaku in the opposite direction, but the Red Devils were not interested at that time.
Romelu Lukaku was left out of the 26-man travelling squad of United to face Kristiansund, as speculations linked him with Inter Milan and Juventus. The Argentine forward Paulo Dybala had been linked with a move in the other direction, while other reports linked Lyon striker Moussa Dembele with the club as Lukaku’s replacement.
What Happened On Deadline Day?
The stage was set for the Premier League giants to offload the striker, who was deemed surplus to their needs at Old Trafford. Keeping that in mind, it was exactly what the Manchester based side did and sold their priced asset for a fee of £72m (including add-ons).
What a cash in, it must be said. Right at the very end of the window. However, the only problem was that the Red Devils did not bring in any replacement for this departing star. Will it actually cost them a potential title in the upcoming term? Only time will tell.
