Transfer Predictor: Inter Milan's Romelu Lukaku hopes fading as move from Man United is a 5

Matt Jones - Editor 13:55 24/07/2019
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Struggling to pick out the facts from the figures? Reality from the rubbish? Sense from the silly season?

    We’ve got you sorted in our daily dose of the Transfer Predictor, where we round up the latest rumours with an analytical spin.

    We sort through the most eye-catching transfer reports of the past 24 hours and give a balanced judgment on whether the move really will happen – and why, or why not.

    Today’s edition features the ‘will he/won’t he’ Romelu Lukaku conundrum, a Spaniard on the move from Milan to the Eternal City and Leicester chasing a Sampdoria midfielder.

    ROMELU LUKAKU

    Lukaku

    Manchester United -> £75m -> Inter Milan

    Time is running out for the Serie A side to complete a deal, according to the Mirror.

    WHY IT CAN HAPPEN: United don’t want Lukaku as the big, bulky Belgian – whose technique since moving to Manchester seems to have actually worsened – doesn’t fit into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s improved new energetic style of attacking.

    Despite his woes in red, Lukaku has still plundered 42 goals in 96 games during two seasons. Antonio Conte desperately wants the Belgian, and he wants out of Old Trafford, so it would seem a move is the best thing for all parties. However…

    WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN: With no buyer looking likely for Mauro Icardi, the Nerazzurri have little funds. United simply will not sanction the departure unless the deal gives them ample time to recruit a replacement, with the Premier League transfer window shutting on August 8.

    Inter have only just emerged from UEFA sanctions for failing to meet FFP regulations in 2015 and fear overstretching themselves could lead to a Champions League ban.

    United are unlikely to bow to the Serie A side’s wishes, especially with how the Ivan Perisic saga went down.

    Transfer predictor: 5/10

    SUSO

    Suso

    AC Milan -> €35m -> Roma

    Milan are willing to cash in on one of their star men after talks of extending the Spaniard’s contract failed, Calcio Mercato claim.

    WHY IT CAN HAPPEN: Milan’s preference is to keep the Cadiz-born player who has contributed 23 goals over the last three seasons, but they appear to be open to a sale after talks to extend Suso’s deal stalled.

    Plus, with new man Marco Giampaolo on board, Milan are set to play a 4-3-1-2 system this season which will negate the role of wide men – an area where Suso thrives.

    WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN: New Milan technical director Paolo Maldini had been demanding the Giallorossi trigger the winger’s €38m release clause – the only problem is that expired on July 15. They will have to accept a lower bid now but will still expect to recoup €30-35m, which Roma simply don’t have.

    They could offer players including Steven NZonzi, Javier Pastore, Maxime Gonalons, Gregoire Defrel and Patrik Schick, but Milan might not be enthralled by any of those options.

    Transfer predictor: 6/10

    DENNIS PRAET

    Dennis Praet

    Sampdoria -> €25m -> Leicester City

    Leicester have offered to double the Sampdoria midfielder’s wages in order to lure him to the King Power Stadium, says the Leicester Mercury (via Il Secolo XIX).

    WHY IT CAN HAPPEN: The King Power Stadium is the trendy place to go these days, isn’t it? While their epic Premier League triumph a few years ago might well have been an aligning of the stars, the Foxes really are something of a rising force in England.

    They pulled off a coup earlier this summer by signing the coveted Youri Tielemans on a permanent deal and compatriot Praet could be next in line, with the Midlands club believed to be able to offer a more lucrative financial package than other suitors.

    WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN: Tielemans was their top target this summer so bringing in his fellow Belgian looks less likely. This deal could be closely linked to the Suso situation, with Milan keen on Praet if the Spaniard departs.

    The Rossoneri are said to have made the 25-year-old a top target and, with former Sampdoria coach Giampaolo now in charge at the San Siro, that could be pivotal to what Praet decides.

    Transfer predictor: 2/10

    Recommended