Romelu Lukaku has given his thoughts on a turbulent summer transfer window which saw him eventually sign for Roma.
Having spent the 2022-23 season on loan at Inter Milan, Lukaku was expected to be signed permanently by the Nerazzurri who were already in talks over a price tag.
However, the Belgium international fell out with Inter just as the Serie A side were closing in on reaching an agreement with Chelsea, leaving Juventus as the frontrunners to land Lukaku, although the Old Lady were only interested in a player-plus-cash deal with Dusan Vlahovic going the other way.
Once again, a potential move for Lukaku broke down as Chelsea were unwilling to match Juventus’ valuation of Vlahovic, leaving Lukaku in further limbo with respect to his future.
Amid the uncertainty that surrounded his future at the time, Lukaku emerged as a transfer target for Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal, but the striker was keen to remain in Europe.
In one of the surprise moves of the transfer window, a loan move to Roma would go on to materialise for Lukaku leading to a reunion with Jose Mourinho for the third time.
Speaking on what transpired during the summer for the first time since his move to Stadio Olimpico, Lukaku revealed he always knew things were going to work out for good in the end.
“Was I ever afraid that things wouldn’t work out this summer? No, enough people know what qualities I have,” the 30-year-old was quoted as saying by Sporza.
“There are just a lot of outsiders who like to speak on my behalf. A lot of bullshit has been published.
“What was the biggest nonsense I read? That I was supposedly told I was going to a certain club, but it didn’t make any sense.”
“There were moments when I could explode. Five years ago I might have done that too, but now I didn’t waste any energy on it.”
Lukaku has made a fine start to his Roma career with seven goals in eight matches across all competitions and the ex-Chelsea man has lauded the impact of Mourinho on his decision to join I Giallorossi.
“I immediately felt good at Roma from the negotiations,” Lukaku added.
“I must also thank Radja Nainggolan for the contact with the club. He informed me very well about AS Roma and the fans.
“Of course, I also had many conversations with Jose Mourinho before I signed.”
With a £37 million valuation set for any permanent transfer next summer, Lukaku could be set to join Roma on a long-term basis and that would provide some much-needed stability for the striker.
