Napoli striker Romelu Lukaku has said that he never wanted to join Manchester United in 2017.
The Belgian recently revealed that he already told everyone he was going to Chelsea when he leaves Everton.
Speaking to Het Nieuwsblad, Lukaku stated that his entire plan changed after Jose Mourinho called him to say that Manchester United had made an offer for him to join.
According to him, it was very hard for him to say no to the transfer after Manchester United agreed a fee with Everton, but it was never in his plans to leave Everton and make the switch to Old Trafford.
Lukaku stressed that after making the move and not hitting the heights many expected, he told his agent that he would start handling transfer matters himself to avoid more mistakes.
“I had already told everyone: I’m going to Chelsea. But suddenly Mourinho called me to say that Manchester United had made an offer. I came back from vacation and suddenly there was an agreement with Everton.
I said to Mino [Raiola, after the move]: ‘I don’t want this’, and then I decided now I’m doing everything myself,” he said.
The Belgium international scored 42 goals in 96 appearances in two seasons at Old Trafford, also registering 12 assists.
He was, however, not part of a successful United team under Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, which eventually led to him join Chelsea, signing from Inter in 2021.
Lukaku has since found a new home at Napoli, scoring 14 goals last season, and will be aiming to inspire a defence of Serie A in 2025-26 with new team-mate Kevin De Bruyne.
