Lukaku claims he had no idea Chelsea was so interested in him until he learned of several bids.
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Despite his admiration for the Serie A giants, the returning Chelsea attacker admits he begged Inter to let him return to the Premier League.
Lukaku, 28, was as keen to return to the city as Chelsea was to re-sign the Belgian striker. The £97.5 million paid for the former Everton striker brought his total transfer costs, excluding loans, to almost £285 million.
Manchester United paid £75 million of that on bringing him from Everton to Old Trafford in July 2017. In addition, he admits to being in a “deep hole” at United.
Despite his gratitude to Inter, he had his heart set on a move to Chelsea – a transaction that finally came to fruition.
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Chelsea, on the other hand, attempted to give Marcos Alonso and then Davide Zappacosta.
Alonso is still at Stamford Bridge and has started all three Premier League games for Chelsea thus far. Zappacosta, a fellow defender, has left for Atalanta for a price of €10 million.
Lukaku disclosed the specifics of Chelsea’s methods while on international service.
When Chelsea made their third offer, I realized they were serious. They first promised €100 million. Then €105 million, plus Alonso. Then they offered €110 million-plus Zappacosta, but Inter turned them down,” Lukaku told HLN.
I didn’t want to go against Inter’s wishes. They rescued me from the abyss. At Manchester United, I was in a deep hole. I went to Inzaghi’s office after training. I didn’t want to break the mood because I wasn’t in Milan with my head in my hands. So I urged him to kindly come to an arrangement.
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September 4, 2021 — Kristof Terreur (@HLNinEngeland)
I didn’t want to go against Inter’s wishes. They rescued me from the abyss. At Manchester United, I was in a deep hole.
I went to [head coach Simone] Inzaghi’s office after training. I didn’t want to break the mood because I wasn’t in Milan with my head in my hands. So I urged him to kindly come to an arrangement.
Euro 2020 loss hurts Lukaku
Lukaku also said that Belgium’s elimination in the quarter-finals of Euro 2020 came as no surprise to him.
The number one FIFA-ranked side was one of the favorites to win the European Championship, but they were defeated 2-1 in the final eight by eventual winners Italy.
If we become European champions, it would only be because we lost every game, said Lukaku.
Throughout the tournament, I picked up on little hints that it was going to be challenging. Italy outperformed us not just strategically, but also technically. That was extremely painful.
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