Inter Milan sporting director Piero Ausilio is in the UK to negotiate a transfer deal for Romelu Lukaku - but how much would Manchester United miss the Belgian?
Inter appointed former Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte in May, with the Italian targeting Lukaku, who himself started his Premier League career with the Blues.
Lukaku fuelled speculation further after expressing a desire to play in Serie A in April, although the United hierarchy have reportedly slapped a £75m price tag on him - to recoup the entire initial fee paid to Everton two years ago.
But would he be missed at United and what could he offer Inter? Here, we take an in-depth look at his stats during his time at Old Trafford...
Key stats & form
Despite suffering an underwhelming season, the Belgian still scored one goal every two games on average - which ranked as the 12th best among Premier League forwards this season.
In addition, the Belgium international ranked ninth for shots on target per 90 minutes and imposed his considerable physical presence by winning an above-average four aerial duels per game.
Despite those impressive returns, the Belgian did not assist one goal for a team-mate in the Premier League for the first time during a season - which means his ratio for goals and assists combined has actually hit a four-year low.
The graphic below reveals Lukaku's rolling five-game average for goals scored (in red) per game over the past two seasons, typically scoring more than expected (in green) - with three notable purple patches in front of goal this term.
According to the Power Rankings, those clinical periods correlate with his overall form, scoring twice against Burnley in September but plateauing below par until hitting a season-high peak against Southampton in March.
His critics often point towards a lack of energy, while Gary Neville singled him out after the 1-1 draw with Chelsea in April, saying: "[Lukaku] always looks tired after one or two big runs. Does Ole think he is going to change him?"
The stats support the criticism. Lukaku covered only 8.67 km per 90 minutes in the top flight this season. To put that into context, that average ranks 278th out of all Premier League players who clocked 1,000 minutes or more.
Positional & passing
Despite covering below-average distance, the graphic below reveals Lukaku actually covered a wider spread of territory during this campaign - moving into more central regions from his favoured right channel.
In addition, the Belgian took far fewer shots from range this season with just four attempts - which actually resulted in only his second top-flight goal from outside the box in three years.
The passing sonar graphic below shows how his distribution transformed, too - passing backwards or sideways in his previous two seasons, but looking to inject more forward momentum this term.
Those passes were typically exchanged with Paul Pogba and were received from Ashley Young, while, incredibly, his next most prolific passing partner was goalkeeper David de Gea, who fired 74 long passes to the Belgian - to hold up play as a direct route upfield.
If Lukaku and United part company, the club will need to sign a replacement who can provide similar or superior returns in front of goal - in the club's new agile mould. Quite a task.
Alternative options
However, if United choose to retain Lukaku, then Football Whispers data provides a raft of alternative players with strikingly similar skillsets for potential suitors to target.
AC Milan striker Andre Silva, who spent this season on loan at Sevilla, emerges as the closest fit, followed by Gerard Moreno, Mario Gomez and lesser-known prospects Sam Lammers, Jhonder Cadiz, Andrea Pinamonti and Davie Selke.
MUHAMMAD_AADHIL
0
everytime someone scores a goal..fans will miss lukaku's misses😂😂😂
and two goals he scored in R16
Seyeiosz
0
not much. it will only surprise the other players when they get a number 9 who can control the ball
Mboy_Swag04
0
A lot because he is an important role player
wauablmouy
1
A lot as Romelu is a warkholic
SINGAM23
6
Lukaku will be missed O%
loocmrtu
1
he is not going anywhere sorry inter
uddhabagulu299
0
never miss
POGBA-DAB
0
Lukaku is important for us in uel
Judisky
2
We'll miss his first touch, second touch and so on touch
Ajmalkarimi
1
No worries they won’t miss him.
kamulasikushandrew
4
despite having ball control problems lukaku is the best forward man u have so far stop criticising him and start believing in him
majorclubfoot
1
We'd miss his magical first touch 😂 😂 😂 😂
rd1234
2
everytime someone scores a goal..fans will miss lukaku's misses😂😂😂
tuzbceknpu
0
Miss him ? What’s to miss in a useless striker. They won’t miss him but will definitely miss him losing goals chances
just one bad season and most of the blame falls into him last season under mourinho he played excellent and while playing for belgium at the world cup he was a huge threat to the other team let have another shot
MUHAMMAD_AADHIL
3
de gea 74 passes to lukaka being the second best shows how bad the team feeds him. we are over dependent on Pogba. we have only 3 players who are close to world class are ddg pobga n lukaku . excluded mata as he is past his prime . pogba n lukaku are over criticised. play good players around them. they will show their talent
Jayanjr1
3
One bad season in Premier league and suddenly so called football pundit are criticising and making fun of him. I support Lukaku and I want him to stay.
nobbdotuz
1
lukaku is made the scape goat for the mess at old Trafford, the truth is that they're all useless, especially Ole
kuedeikuy
0
Thus formation man utd was champions all competition
[image]
i favour filipe luiz on left back
kristvanbeston
0
how much? answer: €2.45
jezabdnpyz
1
Sell Lukaku And Depends Just On Rashford?! We Don't Even Have A Replacement For Him And Yet Wanted To Sell A Experienced EPL Striker. RIDICULOUS!!! Woodclown Never Fails To Surprise Me Time To Time With His Idiotic Ways Of Players Transfers And Contracts.
Amanda-
2
Miss him ? What’s to miss in a useless striker. They won’t miss him but will definitely miss him losing goals chances
luciano-mufc
1
🚨🚨ASK EVERTON SUPPORTERS OF THEY MISS HIM THAN YOUL KNOW .......
Zeycdlntyz
0
Thus formation man utd was champions all competition
[image]
deadly!
DeepeshKoirala
2
You all will see how much we r going to miss lukaku if we dont get good replacement and rashford misses too much
ManUtdRed
0
Well he doesn't fit the style we want to play,so we'll not miss him,He has been professional here and wants to leave and we should allow him to leave for right kind of money
loneavenger
2
I will miss him for sure...I hope he stays ..if he leaves it should be for the right money so we can invest in some other players
LoothIbrahim
0
Thus formation man utd was champions all competition
awesomemark
1
as much as morata misses goals
Viycelnot
3
I will not miss him at all. Let him go to Inter Milan.