Barcelona has turned the corner, what started out as a season of scandal on and off the field, Ronald Koeman’s side are now fighting to win the Spanish La Liga and sit four points back of Atletico Madrid and plan to fight until the end to win the title. Since the presidential elections, the hot waters have seemed to calm down and the Spanish giants now look towards next season.
Two things are on the wish list for Barcelona, retaining Lionel Messi at all costs, but to do that the team needs to be more competitive next season and for that Joan Laporta will need to make at least one big major summer signing to keep Messi at the club and in the fold of European soccer’s elite clubs.
The Barcelona brass has identified one of those possible targets and it is Romelu Lukaku of Inter Milan. Lukaku is having a career year and has scored 42 goals in 62 games for Inter. Lukaku at 27 is in the prime of his career but he would command a huge transfer fee.
Romelu Lukaku (Getty)
Romelu Lukaku’s chances of signing with Barcelona
Romelu Lukaku playing for Belgium (Getty)
Romelu Lukaku has three years remaining on his Inter deal, so he won’t come cheap, but according to Mundo Deportivo in Spain, the Barcelona brass see Lukaku as a much more affordable option over Lautaro Martinez, who was once the first choice.
In order for Barcelona to even think about signing Lukaku for next season, Inter Milan want at least 100 million euros for the forward. Barcelona is in severe financial trouble and the only way the club can sign Lukaku would be to offload Antoine Griezmann and/or Ousmane Dembélé in the offseason to get a cash flow.
Romelu Lukaku has had a very steady career, the Belgium striker has played for Anderlecht, Chelsea, West Bromwich Albion, Everton, and Manchester United prior to joining Inter. Lukaku has played in two World Cups in 2014 and 2018.
