Belgian and United forward, Romelu Lukaku is said to have agreed on a deal worth £180,000-a-week to join Inter Milan and the star striker can quit Manchester United for £75million.
It is understood that the Red Devils are eyeing Bournemouth’s £50m-rated playmaker David Brooks who will replace Lukaku who is apparently losing his place at Old Trafford under manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer coupled with the ongoing club overhaul.
The 26-year-old who joined United from Everton has struck a deal in principle with Serie A giants Inter which will come into effect when a fee is agreed between the clubs.
The player had been pocketing £225,000-a-week last term but his wages will be cut by about £45,000-a-week following the club’s failure to qualify for next season’s Champions League gravy train.
Lukaku was forced to cut short his holidays to discuss his future with the club and the Trafford which gave his agent Federico Pastorello a green light to assess the market for his client, with Inter the clear front-runners despite interest from Juventus.
Lukaku’s move comes with the blessing of Belgium national team coach Roberto Martinez, who said the striker needs to find the right club and his joining Inter Milan could pave way for Mauro Icardi who has become troublesome for the club for the better part of the last season.
While Lukaku works on walking through United exit door, the boss Solskjaer has Bournemouth’s Brooks on his summer wishlist although the Cherries do not want to sell any of their key men, they would demand at least £50m to even consider a deal for the Wales midfielder.
The 21-year-old, boyhood United fan was on the signing list of rivals Manchester City as a teenager and is also wanted by Tottenham, having joined the Cherries last summer in an £11.5m move from Sheffield United on a four-year contract.
Brooks scored seven goals and five assists last term and showed great versatility, looking comfortable out wide, as a number 10 player and even in a deeper central role in midfield.
Although United boss Solskjaer has already signed Brooks’ international colleague Daniel James this summer in an £18m deal from Swansea Bournemouth’s manager Eddie Howe would be hesitant to lose a player he rates highly as long as United looks on rejuvenating their under-performing squad.