Romelu Lukaku Inter 2019-20Getty Images

Lukaku is Ibrahimovic-esque & built for success in Serie A, says Inter legend Bergomi

Romelu Lukaku has been likened to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, with Inter legend Giuseppe Bergomi expecting the powerful Belgian to thrive in Serie A while needing to offer more in Europe.

A £75 million ($98m) deal took the 26-year-old to San Siro during the summer of 2019.

He had made no secret of his desire to take on a new challenge in Italy at some point, having built his reputation in the Premier League.

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Spells with Chelsea, West Brom, Everton and Manchester United saw Lukaku’s stock rise as a prolific presence.

A further 18 goals have been added to his impressive tally in Milan, with Antonio Conte bringing the best out of a proven performer.

Bergomi is not surprised to see Lukaku shining, with his physical qualities similar to those of Ibrahimovic – with the enigmatic Swede now back in Serie A with AC Milan.

A man who spent his entire playing career with Inter told TMW: “Those who have physicality in our league do well: I think of Ibrahimovic's AC Milan, Juventus of the modern era or Inter 10 years ago.

“I had no doubts that Lukaku would have success in our league. I think, for example, of the goal he scored against Sassuolo, when he easily got rid of [Federico] Peluso using his physique.

“But in Europe it is not enough, there is also the need for technique.”

Christian Eriksen Inter

Lukaku has recorded two Champions League goals this season, but that was not enough to keep Conte’s side in the competition and they have dropped into the last 32 of the Europa League.

It could be that fresh faces have been welcomed into their squad by the time they face Ludogorets in February.

Tottenham playmaker Christian Eriksen is among the mooted targets for Inter, but Bergomi would have preferred to see Conte prioritise a move to bring former Juventus star Arturo Vidal back to Italy from Barcelona.

He added: “For knowledge of Serie A I think Vidal would have been perfect, since he also knows Conte.

“It would have been the ideal purchase, but Eriksen has very specific characteristics and I trust Conte, if they go for him there is a reason.”

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