Romelu Lukaku Transfer: Why He Never Wanted Man Utd

Romelu Lukaku transfer regrets have resurfaced after the Belgian striker revealed he was never keen on swapping Everton for Manchester United in 2017, admitting he initially hoped to secure a Chelsea return instead.

The Romelu Lukaku Transfer Saga

The summer of 2017 was dominated by talk of a Romelu Lukaku transfer. Fresh from scoring 25 Premier League goals for Everton, the Belgium international was one of Europe’s hottest properties. Both Manchester United and Chelsea lodged bids, yet a dramatic late twist saw United agree a £75 million fee and whisk Lukaku to Old Trafford. The forward now says that outcome was far from his preferred choice, stressing, “I didn’t want to go to United. My mind was on Chelsea.”

Mourinho’s Persuasive Phone Call

According to Lukaku, a decisive factor behind the Romelu Lukaku transfer to Manchester United was a personal call from then-United manager José Mourinho. The Portuguese coach spoke of building the team around the 24-year-old powerhouse and promised a central attacking role. Lukaku, flattered by the attention, eventually accepted—even though he had already spoken to Chelsea boss Antonio Conte about a Stamford Bridge reunion. In hindsight, Lukaku concedes that the conversation with Mourinho “clouded my judgment.”

Chelsea’s Pursuit and Conte’s Plans

Chelsea believed they had the inside track on a Romelu Lukaku transfer because the striker maintained strong ties with several Blues players and staff. Conte, preparing for a Premier League title defence, saw Lukaku as the ideal long-term successor to Diego Costa. Negotiations stalled over agent fees and image-rights complications, allowing United to steal ahead. By the time Chelsea matched United’s offer, Lukaku had already completed his medical in Los Angeles with the Red Devils.

Fallout of the Romelu Lukaku Transfer to United

The 2017-18 season began brightly: Lukaku scored 11 goals in his first 10 United appearances. Yet form dipped as the campaign progressed, and the club finished 19 points behind Manchester City. Across two seasons, the striker netted a respectable 42 goals in 96 appearances but never fully convinced the Old Trafford faithful or Mourinho’s successor Ole Gunnar Solskjær. Critics argued that United’s direct style under Mourinho failed to maximize Lukaku’s speed on the counter, while Solskjær’s emphasis on fluid, interchanging forwards exposed the Belgian’s heavy first touch.

Statistics at Old Trafford

• Premier League: 66 games, 28 goals
• Champions League: 12 games, 6 goals
• Domestic Cups: 18 games, 8 goals
Those numbers highlight why the Romelu Lukaku transfer remains a debate among fans; prolific in patches, inconsistent overall.

Lessons Learned

In 2019, Lukaku pushed for a move to Inter Milan, admitting that United “wasn’t the right fit.” Under Antonio Conte—ironically the coach who first tried to sign him for Chelsea—the striker thrived. His 24-goal haul powered Inter to the 2020-21 Serie A title and rekindled the narrative that the Romelu Lukaku transfer to United had hindered, rather than helped, his evolution.

What Next for Lukaku?

Now on loan at Roma from Chelsea after a tumultuous return to Stamford Bridge and a spell at Inter, Lukaku continues to attract headlines. Napoli and Saudi Pro League clubs are monitoring his situation ahead of the summer window. Wherever he lands, the lessons of the 2017 Romelu Lukaku transfer will loom large: project fit, tactical compatibility, and managerial trust trump even the richest contracts.

Opinion: United Move Was a Mismatch Waiting to Happen

The Belgian’s revelations confirm what many suspected: the Romelu Lukaku transfer to Manchester United never aligned with his instincts or playing style. Mourinho’s call may have been persuasive, but a striker who excels on fast transitions was always likely to struggle in a possession-heavy setup lacking consistent width. Hindsight is 20/20, yet the episode underlines the importance of following sporting vision over brand prestige—a lesson both players and clubs ignore at their peril.