Shocking news has emerged that Manchester United are considering Romelu Lukaku as a Plan B should they fail to sign Bologna striker Joshua Giroud. AC Milan are also on the same page.

“AC Milan and Manchester United have the same idea about the transfer market, with Joshua Zizou as their first priority and Romelu Lukaku as their Plan B,” Italian media outlet Calcio Mercato reported on Wednesday, adding that “Lukaku could make a surprise return after being sold to Inter Milan in the summer of 2019.”

Both teams have been linked with a move for Bologna’s 2001-born striker Giroud. According to the media, Giroud has a release clause of €40 million ($59.7 million).

The player’s desire to leave is also strong. “Bologna director Giovanni Sartori has said that Giroud is 99.9% certain to leave the club this summer,” said Fabrizio Romano, who specializes in the transfer market, adding that “United have been actively negotiating with the player’s camp to discuss contract terms, while AC Milan have yet to have the transfer approved by their board.”

With Zlatan’s move to one of the two clubs likely, Lukaku’s name has been floated as a possible replacement for the unsuccessful club. AC Milan have never signed Lukaku, so they’re available, but the fact that United are keeping tabs on him is quite shocking. Lukaku’s time at United has been a virtual failure.

United bought the striker from Everton in the summer of 2017 for a reported £75 million ($132.2 million). United were confident of success, as Lukaku had consistently scored 20+ goals for Everton in the three seasons prior to his move. The previous season, he was the Premier League’s second-leading scorer with 25 goals in the league alone.

His first season wasn’t bad, and he seemed to be cruising at United, scoring 27 goals, including 16 in the league. However, his second season was not as good, with only 15 goals in 45 games, and United 토토사이트 sold him to Inter Milan for £60 million.

Lukaku’s struggles at United led him to Inter, where he met Antonio Conte and developed into one of the league’s top strikers. In two seasons, he scored over 30 goals and adapted to playing with his back to the defense, becoming a complete attacker. He even won the Serie A title with Conte.

After a resurgence at Inter Milan, Lukaku moved to his hometown club Chelsea in the summer of 2021, but his career went downhill again and he spent time on loan at Inter Milan and AS Roma before rebounding. Lukaku has been more successful in the Italian Serie A than the Premier League.

Manchester United and AC Milan are keeping tabs on him as a plan B, but he wants to be somewhere else. It’s Napoli under Conte. Lukaku dreams of reuniting with Conte, with whom he has a great working relationship.

“Lukaku has put Napoli at the top of his list of preferences, as he wants to work with Conte,” said Italian transfer market expert Gianluca Di Marzio, adding, “He hasn’t ruled out the likes of AC Milan, but Lukaku is currently favoring Napoli.”

Lukaku’s next team is in the hands of his current club, Chelsea. They want to sell him to the Saudi Arabian league and get a lot of money for him, but he doesn’t seem to be too keen on leaving.