Inter set to replace Lukaku with ex-Man Utd transfer target – Fabrizio Romano

14 Aug 2023 17:17 BST
3 min read

Romelu Lukaku, Inter, 2022/23 — © ProShots

Inter Milan have finally ended any speculation linking them with another move for Romelu Lukaku after agreeing a deal to sign former Manchester United target Marko Arnautovic.

Lukaku spent last season on loan at the San Siro and was initially expected to extend his stay at the club, however he opted to enter into talks with rivals Juventus while Inter and Chelsea were negotiating over a fee.

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The decision caused Inter fans to denounce the striker, with club legend Javier Zanetti claiming Lukaku ‘betrayed’ the club, while the Belgian’s misery was further compounded when talks collapsed between Juve and Chelsea, leaving him in transfer limbo.

TRAITOR!: Lukaku accused of betrayal by Inter legend

The loss of Lukaku as a target meant that Inter were in search of a new target up front, having also seen Edin Dzeko leave for Fenerbahce, however the Italian side have struck a €10 million deal with Bologna to sign Arnautovic according to Fabrizio Romano.

Arnautovic has netted 24 Serie A goals in the past two seasons and was wanted by United last summer, with Erik ten Hag seeing the 34-year-old as a useful short-term option to solve their striking woes.

But United pulled out of a deal after seeing an initial bid of €9m rejected by Bologna, with reports that the club were uneasy due to off-the-pitch concerns surrounding Arnautovic, prompting the Austrian to remain in Italy and now seal a return to Inter, having previously briefly played for them on loan in 2009.

Inter moving on without Lukaku

Inter had been linked to the likes of Folarin Balogun of Arsenal among others but, having failed to secure their top targets, a move for Arnautovic was seemingly preferred due to veteran offering a cheaper option despite his age.

While Inter may move for another striker before the end of the month, Lukaku’s bridges have all but certainly been burnt despite having previously been a fan favourite for the Serie A giants.

Inter had submitted multiple bids for Lukaku but they all fell short of Chelsea’s valuation, understood to be in excess of €40m, a figure which Juventus have also so far failed to meet.

PROGRESS: Blues close to selling Lukaku

Lukaku has been training away from the Chelsea first team and both the club and player are desperate to secure a transfer away before the window closes, with a switch to Saudi Arabia the only likely option currently available for the 30-year-old.