Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is reportedly keen to retain wantaway attacking superstar Romelu Lukaku, amid rumours over a £75 million depature.
If the report by The Sun is to be believed, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s stance on Romelu Lukaku’s potential departure wavers from that of the Manchester United hierarchy. The Norwegian is eager to keep hold of Lukaku, amid widespread speculation linking him with a £75 million move to Inter Milan.
Lukaku has had a roller coaster ride at Manchester United over the last two years. While the Belgian striker has not been topped in the goalscoring charts by any other teammate, that he has the tendency of going through extended lean patches over the course of the season has often seen him cut a frustrating figure.
A return of 42 goals and 13 assists in 96 appearances is certainly one that can be improved upon, which explains why Lukaku eventually dropped down the pecking order for strikers, as Marcus Rashford usurped him in the second half of last season.
The drop in stature has naturally given way to speculation surrounding his future at Manchester United, with a move to Inter Milan being mooted. The Nerazzurri CEO Giuseppe Marotta recently confirmed that the move for Lukaku is a work in progress, and with the player singing the praises of Antonio Conte, it has been reported that a transfer might be but a formality.
Manchester United are reportedly open to selling the 26-year-old and have slapped a £75 million price tag on him. But, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s stance on the Belgian’s future is in stark contrast to the Premier League heavyweights and he wants to retain the services of the star striker.
The Manchester United boss has assured the 26-year-old that he will get ample opportunities to stake claim at becoming the first-choice striker on a regular basis next term, despite the fact that Marcus Rashford signed a bumper new deal recently and what transpired in the second half of last season.
Meanwhile, Manchester United had reportedly even been pursuing deals for a replacement, with rumours that Wissam Ben Yedder had agreed personal terms with the club. If Lukaku ends up staying at Old Trafford, it would be interesting to see where that leaves Ben Yedder.
Favouring Lukaku to Ben Yedder might make some sense, seeing as the current incumbent is already acclimatised to English football and will get an entire pre-season to get used to Solskjaer’s style of play.
For now, as per the report, it looks like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer intends to keep Romelu Lukaku at Old Trafford, even though Manchester United prefer cashing in on him. It now remains to be seen if the Belgian striker makes his way to Inter Milan this summer or if he continues his stint with the Red Devils instead.
