According to Milan News, Milan is monitoring Anderlecht midfielder Nathan De Cat, born in 2008. Belgian journalist Frederica Wasseige gave an exclusive interview to Milan News, discussing the young player and Lukaku.
Reporter: Nathan De Cat has caught Milan's eye. What do you think of him? You've said in the past that he can do everything and is excellent at both offense and defense.
Frederica Wasseige: "Absolutely correct. He's only 17, but he has a very outstanding advantage: he handles everything with ease. With him, all actions appear simple, natural, and fluid. The strongest point is that once he wins the ball back, he always makes good use of it. He can find solutions directly from 25 meters out, and he can also deliver the ball to the right teammate at the right time. This season, he has also proven that he can play further forward: he scored several crucial goals, including one in the highly anticipated match against Club Brugge. To achieve this at 17 is amazing, because this year at Anderlecht, he is the team leader. Being a leader at 17 not only demonstrates ability far above average but also a strong personality. For me, he is a very excellent player and a quality investment for the future."
Reporter: Many players who perform well in mid-level teams struggle when the stage gets bigger. Can he establish himself at a top club? Besides Milan, Bayern is also interested in him as a replacement for Goretzka.
Frederica Wasseige: "We'll only know the answer when he makes that step. Personally, I think he can, because he has something others don't. The question is valid: will we still see him on the ball frequently at a big team? Probably not. But I believe he will still be very useful, even surrounded by top players."
Reporter: Lukaku in 2026 might not be the same Lukaku as in 2018, but he still scores a lot. Should Milan consider him?
Frederica Wasseige: "A few days ago in Croatia, he came on as a substitute for the last 20 minutes and scored in the 93rd minute. Although everyone felt he wasn't at his best yet and his explosive power hadn't fully recovered, he still managed to score a typical Lukaku-style goal at the last moment: combining speed, strength, and precision. He has already scored 90 goals for the Belgian national team. This shows how motivated he is and how much he wants to participate in the World Cup. He pays great attention to his physical condition, and his mentality is also exceptional. This person has no limit; how far he can go depends on his physical condition. Maybe he won't start every game, but he can provide immense help to Belgium at the World Cup, even coming off the bench."
Reporter: In other words, should Milan sign him?
Frederica Wasseige: "If the transfer cost is affordable for the team, and the club clearly knows why they want to sign him, then this deal would be a good option. I don't think he can play 40 to 50 high-intensity games in a season anymore. However, having such a person in the locker room is fortunate; his attitude and professionalism are impeccable."