Romelu Lukaku looks to be trying to speed up the search for a new boot sponsor by wearing a pair of blackout boots in Manchester United's 4-2 win over Watford last night. If that subtle move didn't alert brands to his availability then Jose Mourinho's call to action was a bit more route one.
Lukaku is going through a bit of dry spell with just one goal in 11 games for United, and Mourinho thinks he has the answer. Speaking after his striker switched into a blackout version of the limited edition Nike Hypervenom GX boots on Tuesday night, Mourinho said; "I think he needs a big contract with big boots because at the moment he doesn't have a sponsor. He's playing with black boots, I think he needs a brand to give him the right boots and pay him the right money so he goes back to scoring. He finished the deal and now he's waiting for a new deal."
Lukaku has been without a boot contract since he cut ties with Nike in 2016. The fact that a £90m striker for the world's most marketable football club can remain sponsor-less will have a more complicated reason than meets the eye. Mourinho stating that "I think he needs a brand to give him the right boots and pay him the right money" suggests Lukaku has been offered deals, but the aforementioned fact of him being Man United's £90m man may be giving him some extra bargaining ammo, and he's holding out.
The Belgian striker has switched between brands since he parted with Nike. He's flirted with PUMA, Nike and adidas to try and lure one of the big three to offer him a deal, but as of yet none of them have met his valuation. For most of the season Lukaku has been wearing the adidas X 16.1, up until last night when he decided he's had enough of giving brands free exposure. We can expect him to remain in blackout boots now until he signs with a brand.
With a World Cup coming up and Lukaku spearheading the attack of a much-fancied Belgium team, it's only a matter of time until a brand does meet Lukaku's valuation, as it seems like the big man won't budge.
Above: Lukaku wearing the adidas X 16.1, Nike Mercurial Vapor XI and PUMA evoSPEED 1.5.
Which brand do you think Romelu Lukaku should sign with?
