Manchester United consider re-signing Chelsea if Zirkzee transfer fails

Manchester United are reportedly considering a shock move to bring Romelu Lukaku back to Old Trafford if their pursuit of Joshua Zirkzee fails, according to reports from Calciomercato.

The Red Devils are in dire need of attacking reinforcements after finishing a disappointing eighth in the Premier League last season, largely due to a lack of attacking threat. Manager Erik ten Hag is known for preferring strikers who stay central and bring other players into the final third, and while Zirkzee is the preferred candidate, competition from Arsenal and AC Milan has made recruitment difficult.

Lukaku previously wore a United shirt between 2017 and 2019, scoring 42 goals and providing 12 assists in 96 appearances in all competitions. Despite his impressive statistics, the Belgian forward’s time there was marked by inconsistency, leading to his move to Inter Milan.

Since returning to Chelsea in 2021 for a staggering £97.5m, Lukaku has struggled to establish himself and has spent the last two seasons on loan at Inter Milan and Roma. The Blues are now keen to offload the 31-year-old permanently and are seeking a fee in the region of £34m. Despite interest from Napoli and AC Milan, no long-term suitors have yet materialised.

Lukaku’s recent performances have been disappointing, most notably at Euro 2024, where he failed to score in all three of Belgium’s group stage games and the round of 16 tie against France. This has led to widespread criticism and trolling on social media, overshadowing his career achievements of nearly 400 national team goals and over 100 assists in over 750 appearances for club and country.

Despite his recent struggles, Lukaku could fit into Ten Hag’s system better than Zirkzee. His ability to run through defences and his experience could complement youngster Rasmus Højlund, providing a balanced attacking duo. A short-term deal for Lukaku could offer a pragmatic solution to United’s immediate needs while the team continue to search for a long-term option.

Lukaku’s potential transfer is not without its risks. His recent form and the high transfer fee could be seen as significant drawbacks. However, his familiarity with the Premier League and his past success at United could make him a valuable asset to the team.

With Chelsea eager to offload the Belgian striker and United in need of reinforcements, a reunion could be on the cards if the pursuit of Joshua Zirkzee fails to materialise. Lukaku’s current contract with Chelsea runs until June 2026, and he was Roma’s highest-paid player last season on a deal worth around £150,000-a-week.