If Manchester United were looking for someone to give a nudge to their striker target in the summer, they’ve just been told who to call.
It is an open secret that Manchester United want to go for a striker in the summer transfer window, a need clearer than ever after United’s 0-1 loss to Forest.
Ruben Amorim bemoaned a lack of attacking quality in the game as the team created plenty of chances but missed the final killer instinct.
As expected, United have been linked with many striker targets for the summer with an interest in Liam Delap, Viktor Gyokeres, and Victor Osimhen, to name three.
In the meantime, one target has told them just whose word might push him to join United if they fancy.
Man Utd target Lorenzo Lucca names footballing idol
A recent name added to the list of Man Utd striker targets is Lorenzo Lucca, the giant Udinese striker who has found his way again in Italy after falling away a bit at Ajax.
Lucca has scored 10 goals this season in the league and his physical style of play is right up Amorim’s alley and what he demands from his players.
At 24, he’s of the age profile where he’s already played a lot of professional football but still has plenty of room for growth.
If United are interested, then they only need to look at his comments from 2021 to know that he counts a former Man Utd star as his footballing idol.
Back in 2021, Lucca was being targeted by AC Milan and at the time, he revealed that he studies the game of Zlatan Ibrahimovic because his game is similar.
He said: “Even now that many teams have noticed me, I remain the same as always, someone who says things to his face. As a child, my dad filled me with videotapes of great strikers, Ibrahimovic and Trezegue t first and foremost.
“The strongest in business? Ibra again. For me, Zlatan is the absolute strongest in football history, at least from what I’ve seen. I’m tall like Ibrahimovic, even a little bit taller, so I try to imitate him.
“I study his movements and plays and try to repeat them. Like Zlatan, I, too, am agile and good at acrobatics, despite my height.”
Lucca is a risk for Man Utd
The links to Lucca have developed fairly recently and that could be because United want to play a game of brinksmanship in the market.
Outside of Delap’s release clause if/when Ipswich get relegated, none of their transfer targets are expected to come cheap in the summer.
Lucca adds to the club’s options when they go to negotiate for the strikers but at his best, he represents a slight risk, especially if the price goes high.
This is the first season he’s managed to crack double figures in goals in a top-flight season and his journeyman history should persuade United to wait a while before splashing the cash on him.
The similarity with Ibrahimovic in terms of physique and playing style is there but Lucca has started blooming late.
He could still develop into a top-class striker but what United need in the summer is someone more proven, either in England, like Delap, or at the top level, like Osimhen/Gyokeres.
As it stands, Lucca is neither.
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