Romelu Lukaku is the most prolific young striker in all of Europe this season. With 16 goals in the domestic campaign, there isn’t anyone who has scored more than him who’s older than 23. His recent four-goal performance for the Toffees in the Premier League is just another feather in the cap of the young Belgian, who continues to go from strength to strength with each passing performance.
There’s a small portion of Chelsea fans who secretly cry every time he scores a goal and continues to develop into one of the most complete all-round forwards in the game. The Blues made a huge mistake letting the big Belgian leave the club permanently even though he showed great promise in both his loan spells in the Premier League: with West Bromwich Albion and Everton.
But having admitted that he misses the UEFA Champions League, Lukaku could push for a move away from Everton this summer. There are a host of European giants – and English giants – who will be willing to spend a boatload of money on him. Here’s looking at five of the most realistic options:
#1 Chelsea
They famously did it with Nemanja Matic three seasons ago, and with David Luiz before the start of the current season. It could very well continue. The club are famous for hoarding promising youth products, sending them out on loan, selling them and then moving heaven and earth trying to buy them back.
Lukaku could be the most expensive trial yet. The 23-year-old will cost the Blues a whopping €80 million or so – an increase of €50 million in the two years since they sold him to the Toffees. But they’re Chelsea and they wouldn’t mind.
The Belgian is an excellent addition to any of the Premier League’s top clubs and should Diego Costa once again sob over a failed attempt to leave the club early in the window, the club could very well get Lukaku back into the fold.
#2 Manchester United
To be honest, I’ll never fully understand Jose Mourinho and his intentions. The Portuguese is one of the better managers in the game but is so prone to making mistakes in judging youngsters that there ought to be a label about the same.
Manchester United, however, are desperate to sign a striker in the summer. They’re flirting with Antoine Griezmann shamelessly and have the feelers for Real Madrid’s Alvaro Morata and Juventus’ Paulo Dybala. But the one option they ought to consider strongly is Romelu Lukaku.
Of the four aforementioned options, Lukaku is the only one with Premier League experience and knows the pace and the strength required to be successful. He’s adapted his game to the Premier League’s and it’s been working sensationally for him ever since.
#3 Paris Saint-Germain
The glutton of the footballing world have set their sights on their next big target: Romelu Lukaku. The Parisian giants currently only employ one senior striker in Edinson Cavani and have failed to replace Zlatan Ibrahimovic ever since he moved on a free to Manchester United.
They have the money to pay Everton for Lukaku, they have the kind of squad-space to ensure he gets enough playing time with the club and given Cavani isn’t getting younger, the Belgian has the opportunity to pretty much take over the role of the striker who leads the team in all the games.
While Lukaku has often spoken of his desire to stay in the Premier League, the chance to play in the UEFA Champions League with a truly exciting squad, coupled with the fact that he could earn a bombshell there could sway his decision this season.
#4 Bayern Munich
Carlo Ancelotti’s Bayern Munich suffer the same plight as Paris Saint-Germain. They only have one truly appropriate senior striking option in Robert Lewandowski and are desperately looking to sign an incredible young striker who could sustain their bid to win the UEFA Champions League.
The Bavarians have a host of disposable talents in Douglas Costa, Juan Bernat and Thiago Alcantara and could use the funds they receive from those sales to push for a move for Lukaku. Yes, Lewandowski is pretty much the second best striker in the world – after Barcelona’s Luis Suarez – but when you have the chance to sign one of Europe’s top young forwards, you will seriously consider it – especially if you’re such a forward-thinking club like the Bavarians.
The Belgian will enjoy the pace of the Bundesliga and has the chance of competing for the UEFA Champions League should he join in on the project with Carlo Ancelotti.
#5 Real Madrid
The jewel in the crown of European football is looking for a young striker to come in and do what was expected of Alvaro Morata. Zinedine Zidane and Florentino Perez are interested in signing a striker in the summer, given they’re rethinking the future of Karim Benzema.
Should they part ways with the Frenchman, Lukaku has the chance to lead the most successful UEFA Champions League team in history. With the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale beside him, Lukaku could help Real Madrid dominate in Europe for a long time to come.
Madrid have money, the wage structure and the draw for anyone to give in. Lukaku could be a thorn in the side of most Spanish defences with his strength, speed and all-round gameplay. This is one move that could make anyone’s mouth water.
