Manchester United Transfer News: Romelu Lukaku Says He Hopes to Move to Italy
Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku has said he has ambitions to feature in Serie A in the future, casting doubts over his long-term future at Old Trafford.
Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t the Daily Star Sunday's Aaron Stokes), the No. 9 revealed he could follow his brother, Jordan—who is plying his trade in Rome with Lazio—to the Italian league.
When asked if he would move to Italy, Lukaku said: "Why not? I hope it happens."
The Belgian international added he admires current champions Juventus:
"Juve have a great project in place and they just keep going. Every year they try to get stronger.
Without doubt, Juve are one of the two-three best teams in Europe.
They've got a great coach on the bench and extraordinary players in every area of the team.
Cristiano Ronaldo stands out, but watch out for the others too. Paulo Dybala is already impressive and getting stronger, while I love Douglas Costa.
He’s an exceptional signing and his career shows he always makes the difference."
Lukaku's comments will unsettle United supporters, who have seen their club hit a crisis point in recent weeks.
Paul Pogba's relationship with manager Jose Mourinho continues to appear in the football press, with the France World Cup winner recently stripped of the Red Devils vice-captaincy.
Lukaku and Pogba share the services of agent Mino Raiola, and the two players have displayed a close friendship at United.
The 25-year-old has shouldered the fair share of the blame in United's attack, as the team misfire continually in the Premier League and Europe.
However, the service line to Lukaku has been abysmal under Mourinho, making it hard for the striker to impress at the Theatre of Dreams.
The player has four goals in his opening eight games in the Premier League this term, suggesting his personal form is not as poor as that of some of his team-mates.
Lukaku scored 16 goals and had seven assists in his first season for the Red Devils in the English top flight, as he replaced Zlatan Ibrahimovic as the club's primary striker last term.
B/R Football tweeted Mourinho might be wondering why the player appears to be performing better for Belgium than United:
Lukaku's comments do not mean the striker is unhappy at Old Trafford, but there's clearly a vein of uncertainty running through the squad under the Special One.
United's top players appear to be miserable in their performances, and the tactical weight they carry has inhibited their ability to beat opponents. They began the 2018/19 campaign in August with their worst start in 26 years and are eighth in the current Premier League standings.
Lukaku needs support as the No. 9, but the Belgian is always going to be isolated in the forward line on a side that have displayed no ambition to utilise the wing.
Mourinho must raid the January transfer window for new talent, but the bigger question remains if United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward will support his manager in his recruitment endeavours.
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