Ole Gunnar Solskjaer plans to hold talks with Romelu Lukaku over his future at Manchester United when the striker reports back for pre-season training next week, sources have told Metro.co.uk.
The Belgian is expected back at Carrington on July 1st along with the majority of his team-mates, though those involved in summer tournaments will be given further time off.
Lukaku lost his place as United’s first choice striker to Marcus Rashford when Solskjaer took over the reins last December and Belgium boss Roberto Martinez recently advised the forward to leave the club in order to play regular football.
Inter Milan are keen on signing Lukaku and the forward’s agent was spotted arriving at the offices of the Serie A giants on Tuesday to hold talks over a move. He confirmed after the meeting that Inter are keen on Lukaku and insisted ‘nothing was impossible’.
However, United want to recoup the £75m they paid for Lukaku in 2017 and Inter need to find a buyer for Mauro Icardi before they can attempt to finance a move for the former Everton striker.
Lukaku dished out poignant praise of Inter boss Antonio Conte earlier this month when he described the Italian as the ‘best manager in the world’ and the striker made it clear to United at the end of last season that he wanted to leave.
However, Lukaku stopped short of handing in a transfer request and there remains huge uncertainty whether Inter have the financial muscle to pull off a move for the 26-year-old.
United will only seek a replacement for Lukaku if and when it becomes apparent that his move to Italy will materialise and Solskjaer will be given the added funds from his departure to top up his summer budget.
With the possibility of Lukaku remaining at Old Trafford, Metro.co.uk understands Solskjaer will speak to the Belgian about where he stands at the club.
Solskjaer has doubts about Lukaku’s long-term suitability to his vision of how he wants his United side to play but rates the Belgian as his best finisher at the club and feels he can offer the physicality that his other strikers simply do not possess.
It means the Norwegian is somewhat indifferent to the situation but he does not want it to drag through United’s pre-season tour.
United, for their part, are determined to recoup the £75m in full and are willing to keep Lukaku if Inter do not come close to their asking price.
The Serie A giants refused to budge in 2017 when Jose Mourinho was determined to sign Croatia international Ivan Perisic.
Meanwhile, the Red Devils expect to close a £50m move for Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the next 48 hours after they had a bid accepted by Crystal Palace.
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