Real Madrid will be without a player wearing the number 9 jersey this season for the first time in the club’s history
Karim Benzema, their previous number 9, left the team before the end of the transfer window, and Los Blancos have yet to give a new signing the coveted uniform. But that may have been altered. Romelu Lukaku was reportedly offered to Real Madrid before he decided to join AS Roma on loan during the summer transfer window, according to Mario Cortegana of The Athletic. Given his location on the pitch, the Belgian would have been well-suited to take over the uniform had he been signed.
Since his transfer from Inter Milan to Chelsea in 2021, Lukaku has not had an easy life. The Belgian striker cost the Blues €115 million, but it is safe to say that he did not pay off. Lukaku made 26 appearances for Chelsea during the 2021–22 Premier League season, but only managed to score eight goals. He quickly lost favour and has been shunned ever since. He was on loan to Inter Milan during the previous campaign, where he helped the team go to the UEFA Champions League finals.
The Belgian international, who had returned to Chelsea in the summer, was available to teams all across Europe but was not in manager Mauricio Pochettino’s plans. Real Madrid was also given the opportunity to sign Lukaku, but the Merengues decided against doing so. Since then, the 30-year-old has committed to an annual loan with AS Roma. His recruitment by the Serie A team cost merely €5.8 million, which may be considered a steal.
In retrospect, it may not have been a bad idea to sign Lukaku on a season-long loan, given that Carlo Ancelotti does not possess a legitimate striker other than Joselu. Nevertheless, his choice reveals how much he believes in the existing team. The signing of Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid looked like it would be successful this summer. However, due to financial issues, the player decided to sign with PSG for the next season.
If allegations are to be accepted, Real Madrid would have spent more than €400 million to acquire Mbappe this summer. Los Blancos are delaying signing him until the summer of 2019, when he will be a free agent. This summer’s hesitation by Real Madrid to add a new striker is mostly due to the Frenchman’s approaching arrival. Next summer, all eyes will be on Paris.
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