Transfer Centre

Romelu Lukaku 'not priority target for Tottenham Hotspur'

By Carter White | 21 August 2023

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly favouring a move for Gent's Gift Orban over the signing of Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku, although Spurs view the Belgian as an option.

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly identified Chelsea's Romelu Lukaku as a potential signing this summer, although the striker is not a priority target for the Lilywhites.

The 30-year-old spent the 2022-23 term on loan at Inter Milan from Stamford Bridge, forming part of an Inter side who enjoyed an entertaining campaign.

Lukaku helped the Serie A outfit to the final of the Champions League, in which they lost to treble-winners Manchester City during a tense showpiece match in Istanbul.

A return of 10 goals and six assists in 25 league appearances represented a decent term for the Belgium international, however the attacker was largely constrained to cameos off the bench.

According to Football Insider, Lukaku is not at the top of Tottenham's striker shortlist this summer, however the Lilywhites are still interested in the former Manchester United man.

Inter Milan's Romelu Lukaku celebrates scoring their first goal on February 18, 2023 © Reuters

The forward is currently back in West London but is not part of Mauricio Pochettino's plans at the start of the new Premier League season, despite the Blues' lack of a recognised number nine.

Lukaku has not featured at all for Chelsea during pre-season or in the first two matches of the league campaign, and the club are said to be desperate to offload the player before the window slams shut.

The report claims that both Inter and Juventus are monitoring the Belgian's situation as the summer window reaches its conclusion, however neither club are yet to agree a deal with the Blues.

It is understood that Spurs are targeting the signing of Gent's Gift Orban instead of a move for Lukaku, with the 21-year-old enjoying a productive campaign in the Belgian Pro League in 2022-23.

The Nigerian made the net ripple on eight occasions in nine appearances, helping Hein Vanhaezebrouck's men earn a place in the Europa Conference League this term.

Gent's Gift Orban celebrates after the match on March 15, 2023 © Reuters

Ange Postecoglou is supposedly not alone in his interest for Orban however, with Tottenham's London rivals Fulham said to be ready to battle Spurs for the signature of the youngster after Aleksandar Mitrovic completed his switch to the Saudi Pro League.

The Serbian put pen to paper on a lucrative three-year deal at Al Hilal, allowing him to link up with the likes of Neymar and former Wolverhampton Wanderers man Ruben Neves.

Having pocketed £43m from the sale of Mitrovic, the Cottagers are in the position to bolster their attacking ranks in the final few days of the window, and Orban is said to be a target.

Spurs have operated with Brazil international Richarlison as their main striker during the opening weeks of the Premier League season - expect the same setup when Postecoglou takes his men to Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon.