Romelu Lukaku says he did not have to “think twice” about moving to Manchester United from Everton[1] as it represents “the perfect opportunity”.
The 24-year-old striker is set to sign for United for an initial £75m, despite former club Chelsea matching the bid.[2]
“It’s a club that is hungry to win the league again, to be dominant in the world again,” Lukaku told ESPN,[3] who say they spoke to him after his medical.
“It’s the sort of opportunity I’ve always wanted since a child.”
Lukaku is in the United States and was arrested in Los Angeles[4] last week following a noise complaint. He is due to appear in court on 2 October.
The transfer for him, initially reported by BBC Sport on Thursday, is believed to include £15m in add-ons.
Chelsea tried to re-sign the Belgium international but were not willing to match the fees Lukaku’s agent, Mino Raiola, would earn if the forward moved to Old Trafford.
United said on Saturday they were “delighted” to agree a deal.
“When they came calling I didn’t have to think twice, so I’m really delighted to be part of history,” said Lukaku.
“Who would say no to the biggest club in the world? The best stadium in England, the best fans. I mean, it’s the perfect opportunity.
“I always said I wanted to play for a team that’s challenging for every trophy that there is there. I think Manchester United at the minute wants to be the dominant team, the dominant force.
“Now it’s time to work hard, work harder than I ever did before and I’m willing to do it.”
United manager Jose Mourinho was manager of Chelsea when they sold Lukaku to Everton for £28m in July 2014.
The Belgian scored 25 Premier League goals last season, and United have been chasing him for most of the summer.
They are keen to conclude a deal before they depart for a pre-season tour to the United States on Sunday.
Mourinho & Lukaku – the story so far
Mourinho on Lukaku expressing surprise he was released by Chelsea to join Everton on loan in 2013:
“Romelu likes to speak. He’s a young boy who likes to speak. But the only thing he didn’t say is why he went to Everton on loan. That’s the only thing he never says. And my last contact with him was to tell him exactly that – ‘why do you never say why you are not here?'”
Lukaku on Mourinho in December 2015:
“Everyone says it is Mourinho’s fault but it is not his fault because I made the decision [to leave Chelsea]. I went to his office to ask if I could go.
“I signed the deal with Everton at 11 o’clock and the first text message I got on my old BlackBerry was from Mourinho saying: ‘Good luck, do your best and I will see you next season.’
Mourinho on selling Lukaku to Everton:
“Romelu was always very clear with us with his mentality and his approach was not highly motivated to come to a competitive situation with Chelsea.
“He wanted to play for Chelsea but he clearly wanted to be first-choice striker – but for a club of our dimension it is very difficult to promise to a player.”
Lukaku in stats
- With two goals against Hull City in March, Lukaku became the first Everton player since Gary Lineker in 1985-86 to score 20 league goals in a season.
- Lukaku is also only the fourth player to score more than 80 goals in the Premier League before turning 24 (after Michael Owen, Robbie Fowler and Rooney).
- He has scored more goals than any other Everton player in Premier League history (68).
- Lukaku is one of only three players to have scored more than 10 goals in each of the past five Premier League seasons (alongside Olivier Giroud and Sergio Aguero).
Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.[9]
References
- ^ moving to Manchester United from Everton (www.bbc.co.uk)
- ^ Chelsea matching the bid. (www.bbc.co.uk)
- ^ Lukaku told ESPN, (www.espn.co.uk)
- ^ was arrested in Los Angeles (www.bbc.co.uk)
- ^ Listen: Lukaku would bring different style to United – Phil Neville (www.bbc.co.uk)
- ^ Click to see content: LukakuAllOneFoot (www.bbc.co.uk)
- ^ Click to see content: Unitedstrikersshotconversion (www.bbc.co.uk)
- ^ Click to see content: LukakuMinspergoal (www.bbc.co.uk)
- ^ on our dedicated page. (www.bbc.co.uk)
