Federico Pastorello reveals that Antonio Conte threatened to go away Inter if they’d not signed Romelu Lukaku from Manchester United in 2019 and that Carlo Ancelotti wished the Belgian striker at Actual Madrid in 2023.
Lukaku’s agent, Pastorello, spoke about Lukaku’s transfers to and from Serie A in his newest interview with Spanish newspaper
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The Belgian striker, now below contract with , first moved to Italy in 2019, becoming a member of Conte at Inter from Manchester United.
epa12092555 Napoli’s ahead Romelu Lukaku celebrates after scoring the aim throughout the Italian Serie A soccer match SSC Napoli vs CF Genoa at Diego Armando Maradona stadium in Naples, 11 Might 2025. EPA-EFE/CESARE ABBATE
Two years later, nonetheless, the Belgian returned to Chelsea, however the switch didn’t work out for both aspect, prompting Pastorello to say that he shouldn’t have made the deal.
“No, it’s clear that with hindsight, in all probability not,” he mentioned.
“In some ways, sure, as a result of that 12 months Romelu was included within the Ballon d’Or shortlist, one thing that had by no means occurred earlier than. It was a file switch payment from the Italian league, and I imagine it’s nonetheless a file for Chelsea. In a while, Chelsea made different very costly signings, however at the moment, it was the second-most costly switch within the Premier League’s historical past and the costliest in Chelsea’s historical past. It was the appropriate choice for the time being.
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“Then there are human elements; nobody might have predicted Lukaku’s difficulties, maybe not a lot environmental, since he already knew the membership, however extra about his relationship with the coach [Thomas Tuchel],” continued Pastorello.
“He had come from a sort of father-son bond with Conte, and that distinction in method affected him a bit, together with the damage he suffered.
“With hindsight, perhaps as an agent I’d not have made that switch. However he might even have stayed at Inter, and the whole lot would have modified. Conte left, and Hakimi too, who was necessary in Romelu’s season there. It’s straightforward to speak with hindsight, however we don’t know what would have occurred if he had stayed.”
Lukaku returned to Inter for a one-season mortgage spell in 2022 after which joined Roma, additionally on mortgage in 2023. That summer season, nonetheless, the striker had a slight probability of becoming a member of Actual Madrid.
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“I’ve to be trustworthy and say there was a chance at a time when it wasn’t clear the place Romelu was going to go, and with Ancelotti as coach,” Pastorelli mentioned.
Ancelotti wished Lukaku at Actual Madrid in 2023
SEVILLE, SPAIN – APRIL 26: Carlo Ancelotti, Head Coach of Actual Madrid, reacts throughout the Copa del Rey Remaining match between FC Barcelona and Actual Madrid at Estadio de La Cartuja on April 26, 2025 in Seville, Spain. (Picture by Fran Santiago/Getty Pictures)
“They have been contemplating strengthening their assault, however they have been already centered on making the massive signing of Kylian Mbappé the next 12 months and didn’t need to spend on a mortgage deal. So let’s say there was an opportunity as a result of Ancelotti wished him; he has all the time had a excessive regard for Lukaku, however sadly, it didn’t materialise.
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“Lukaku tailored properly to Italy; he speaks six or seven languages, and he feels extra at dwelling with the tradition there. He’s all the time felt comfy wherever he’s gone, however Italy is the place he feels finest. He was disillusioned by different skilled experiences, which I wasn’t concerned in, and he wanted certainty.
“An important factor for a participant is the coach. Antonio known as him and informed him to return. He instantly mentioned sure. There wasn’t even a dialogue. It was the proper time to work collectively once more, and he outcomes have confirmed that proper. Romelu received his second Scudetto, and it was an amazing supply of satisfaction as a result of he did it as a key participant.”
Pastorello can be the agent of Inter striker Ange-Yoan Bonny, who joined the Nerazzurri from Parma final summer season, reuniting with Cristian Chivu.
On this case, nonetheless, the coach’s affect was not as important as Conte’s.
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Conte threatened to go away Inter in the event that they didn’t signal Lukaku
NAPLES, ITALY – OCTOBER 01: Antonio Conte SSC Napoli head coach throughout the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Section MD2 match between SSC Napoli and Sporting Clube de Portugal at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on October 01, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Picture by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Pictures)
“For Bonny, it’s totally different. It was extra of a choice made by Inter’s administration than by the coach, though they’re now working collectively, which is a bonus,” Pastorello admitted.
“Lukaku’s arrival at Inter the primary time after which at Napoli the second time, each below Conte, was actually pushed by the coach. I keep in mind after I moved him from Manchester United to Inter; Conte’s presence there was decisive, he even threatened to go away in the event that they didn’t signal him. So from that perspective, Conte was really an important consider making the deal occur.
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“In Bonny’s case, a lot much less so, as a result of director Piero Ausilio had already began pursuing that choice again in March. So Bonny principally already felt like an Inter participant, not a lot due to the coach, however as a result of the membership itself wished him. Simone Inzaghi had additionally permitted the switch, so it’s a barely totally different story. Then, in fact, he and Chivu have began working collectively once more, which is definitely a bonus since he already is aware of the coach’s expectations, and that may positively assist him.”