Romelu Lukaku backed for West Ham United success as new transfer lined up
Dan Bardell believes that Romelu Lukaku would do well at West Ham United but has suggested the transfer fee and wage demands would be an issue.
GiveMeSport has reported (26 June) that the Hammers are interested in signing the Belgian international this summer.
The 31-year-old is seen as “an alternative target” for Jonathan David who is available for around £25million from Lille [iNews, 19 June].
Sky Sports and talkSPORT journalist Bardell has backed Lukaku for success at the London Stadium but has suggested the finances involved in the deal could be difficult.
Speaking exclusively to West Ham Zone, Bardell said: “Chelsea want to sell and not loan Lukaku this summer.
“He was a signing at the time that everybody thought was going to make Chelsea contenders for the Premier League but for whatever reason that hasn’t happened.
“Maybe Lopetegui would be someone who can get the best out of him. They need a forward but I think if I was a West Ham fan I’d be looking at it thinking they need a younger profile of forward.
“I think if Lukaku moved to West Ham, he would score goals but the finances will probably be a problem in terms of wages and the fee that Chelsea would want.“
West Ham interested in Romelu Lukaku
Things haven’t gone quite right for the Belgian at Stamford Bridge since resigning from Inter Milan in the summer of 2021.
All Chelsea fans thought that this was set to take them to the next level just months after winning the Champions League in Porto.
The 31-year-old has returned to Inter where he had an up-and-down spell before joining Jose Mourinho at Roma last season.
Now Lukaku is set to return to the Blues who will look to move him on this summer on loan or permanently.
Lopetegui will need to add a striker to the Hammers’ squad ahead of the new season with Danny Ings linked away from the London Stadium.
Lukaku would certainly add some physicality to the front line and with Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus around him, there is a chance he could succeed.
The wantaway Chelsea man is on international duty with Belgium at the EUROs so a deal may have to wait until the tournament ends.
In other West Ham news, the club have made a £21million-plus offer for a “superb” Euro midfielder.
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