In a recent report, Calciomercato has stated that Manchester City set to compete with Barcelona for Inter Milan center-forward Romelu Lukaku. It is understood that Man City and Barca are both showing interest in securing the signature of the Belgian international during this summer transfer window (via Calciomercato).
Lukaku’s Incredible Goal-Scoring Record In Italian Football This Season
Lukaku has continued to score goals consistently at San Siro this season as the focal point of Antonio Conte’s attack. The Antwerpen-born powerhouse has registered 25 goals and seven assists in 34 matches for the Italian side this term across all competitions.
The 27-year-old has been quite productive with his contributions in the attacking third based on his average of 2.8 shots, 1.3 key passes and 1.7 dribbles per game in Serie A. Still, Lukaku needs to improve his accuracy when interchanging possession with others around him after completing 72.3% of his attempted passes in the Italian top tier (stats via whoscored).
The Belgian centre-forward is currently under contract at Inter Milan until the summer of 2024, so it would take a big-money move for Man City to have a chance of landing him during the summer transfer period.
What Will The Belgian International Add To Pep Guardiola’s Team?
Lukaku can make full use of his strong 1.91m frame to overpower the opposition centre-backs and win his fair share of aerial duels for his team. He can also hold the ball up using his strength and can make some powerful turns to get a few shots in at goal.
The 90-time Belgium international can also time his runs well in behind the opponent’s backline and excels at creating openings for his teammates inside the penalty box. However, his first-touch has often let him down in the past which is something that Lukaku needs to address in the coming seasons.
Is Lukaku Worth The Fight?
The Inter striker knows the Premier League well from his previous spells at Chelsea, West Bromwich Albion, Everton and Manchester United. He will be an exciting addition to Pep Guardiola’s squad and would serve as a decent successor to Sergio Aguero at the Etihad Stadium.
Lukaku has been a consistent goal-scorer in recent seasons and would bring a lot of quality to Man City’s frontline. However, he can sometimes give away possession cheaply which could make it difficult for him to adapt to Guardiola’s playing style of possession-based football. All in all, the Belgian is well-worth the fight as long as the Mancunian giants are willing to pay the big bucks to bring him to the north-west of England in this off-season.
