Napoli, Lukaku: Agent says Real Madrid interest came to nothing | OneFootball

Federico Pastorello, longtime agent of Romelu Lukaku, gave an exclusive interview to the Spanish daily AS, revealing an interesting transfer-market backstory: before his move to Napoli, the Belgian striker had been on Real Madrid’s radar.

Napoli, Lukaku, the agent: “Real Madrid were interested, but nothing happened for a specific reason”

“There was an opportunity,” Pastorello recounts, “at a time when it wasn’t yet clear where Romelu would go, and with Carlo Ancelotti as coach. Real were considering strengthening their attack, but they were already focused on the major investment tied to Kylian Mbappé for the following season. They didn’t want to commit financially for a loan, and that prevented the deal from moving forward.”

The agent then added: “Ancelotti would have liked him. He has always had great esteem for Lukaku, but unfortunately the negotiation didn’t materialize.”

“Italy is his home”: Pastorello explains the choice of Napoli

Today Lukaku is a mainstay of Antonio Conte’s Napoli, a coach with whom he already shared great success during their time at Inter. Pastorello explained how the bond between the two was decisive in the Belgian striker’s summer choice:

“Lukaku has always felt comfortable in Italy. He speaks six or seven languages, but this is where he truly feels at home. He was coming off a complicated period and needed certainties. The most important thing, for a player, is the coach. Antonio called him, asked him to come, and he accepted right away. There was no hesitation.”

The agent then emphasized how the decision to work with Conte again was “the right moment for both,” recalling the striker’s specific weight in winning the Scudetto: “Romelu won his second title in Italy as a protagonist. It was a great satisfaction for him and for all of us.”

The backstory with Real Madrid: Ancelotti’s interest and the “loan issue”

Pastorello’s revelation opens an interesting window on the summer market. Before sealing the Mbappé deal, Real Madrid had considered a temporary reinforcement for the attack, viewing Lukaku as a solution offering experience and physical strength. However, the loan formula did not convince the Blancos’ management, who were focused on long-term investments.

Despite Ancelotti’s appreciation, the operation therefore remained just an idea, with Lukaku soon after choosing Napoli, reuniting with the coach who had brought out the best in him like few others.

Lukaku and Napoli: objectives and outlook

In blue, Lukaku is continuing his recovery from the muscle injury suffered in the summer. His return is expected in December, in time for the Italian Super Cup semifinal against Milan.

Conte considers him a key piece for the second half of the season, when Napoli will face a packed schedule across the league, cups, and Super Cup. The hope of the club and fans is to see the best version of Lukaku back on the pitch soon, ready to pick up where he left off: goals, leadership, and determination.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.