The agent of Romelu Lukaku has revealed Manchester City tried to sign his client before Chelsea did, though explained what ultimately made them walk away.
It’s clear that the Citizens were after a powerful front man who guaranteed goals given their highly publicised, and ultimately fruitless, pursuit of Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane.
They were also linked with a move for Lukaku, but the Belgian ended his two-year period with Inter Milan during the summer to secure a return to Chelsea, a club that he had represented as a teenager.
However, Pastorello has suggested that the Belgian’s career could have taken a different path, particularly had he won Serie A in his first season in Italy.
Speaking to the Telegraph, Lukaku’s agent, Federico Pastorello, revealed Man City were pursuing the striker in 2020. However, the logistical difficulties of pulling off a transfer during the Covid-19 pandemic laid waste to their hopes.
“I think I can say without disappointing anybody that Manchester City came in the year before,” he said.
“During the pandemic, it was very complicated because of trying to fly to places to meet people.
“It started very concrete and very serious, but eventually they changed their idea or they were not ready to make it happen.
“Honestly, it was very difficult after the first year – it was almost impossible.
“He hadn’t won the league with Inter and he wanted to do that, and it would have been really impossible. Then they [City] focused on Harry Kane this summer.”
The news was shared on Twitter by City Xtra and City Chief, and it attracted plenty of attention from the club’s supporters, who took to the social media platform to share their thoughts and opinions.
Doesn’t matter now!🙄
— Ruby Moon 💙 (@DikshyaDh) October 28, 2021
Lack of threat
— MCFC_MOD⚡️ (@jadzein12) October 28, 2021
Dodged a nuclear missile there 🚀
— Sudipta Dash (@SudiptaDash49) October 28, 2021
Dodged a bullet there
— 𝔰𝔩𝔞𝔳𝔬𝔦𝔡 🎃 (@slawoid) October 28, 2021
Lukaku has no first touch. We made a good decision not getting him👍🏾
— Gaz💫 (@100_MCFC) October 28, 2021
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