Man Utd will force Romelu Lukaku to stay if £80m transfer fee is not met

Lukaku has told United he wants to leave this summer
Man Utd via Getty Images

Manchester United will force Romelu Lukaku to stay unless they get a cash offer for the wantaway striker.

Ed Woodward is adamant the Belgium international’s £80m valuation must be met in full if he is to leave Old Trafford this summer - even though he is only considered back-up by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Inter Milan are leading the chase for Lukaku and have proposed numerous player-plus-cash deals - including striker Mauro Icardi and midfielder Radja Nainggolan.

But United have dismissed all out of hand as they hold out for a profit on the £75m they paid Everton for the 26-year-old two years ago.

Solskjaer has already identified reinforcements if Lukaku goes - and wants the cash from his sale to boost his rebuilding plans, rather than take a player in part exchange.

Lukaku has made it clear to United that he wants to leave after being informed Marcus Rashford will lead Solskjaer’s attack next season.

But he is not prepared to force an exit - and United remain confident he won’t be a disruptive influence if forced to stay.

But there is an acceptance on all sides that a move could be the ideal option if a deal can be agreed.

Inter is the player’s preferred destination after the Italian giants appointed Antonio Conte their manager last month. The pair share the same agent, Federico Pastorello, and Lukaku has spoken of his desire to play in Serie A.

United are aware of this and will grant him his wish to leave - but are adamant they want to make a profit on what was the second most expensive signing in their history.

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While there is no desperate desire to cash in now, they are conscious of the prospect of his value rapidly decreasing if he spends next season on the fringes.

Solskjaer plans to build his attack around the pace and movement of Rashford and Anthony Martial next season - with Jesse Lingard, Daniel James and Mason Greenwood supplementing his forward line.

He also has Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez if neither are sold.

Solskaer is happy to continue working with Lukaku and has been impressed with his attitude and finishing. But he is not considered an ideal fit in the system the Norwegian plans to deploy.

Solskjaer plans to build his attack around Rashford
Getty Images

Jadon Sancho is more aligned to Solskjaer’s thinking, due to his versatility.

The England international was United’s top target this summer, until they reluctantly accepted Borussia Dortmund’s stance that he is not for sale.

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