‘Both owners’: Romelu Lukaku delivers shock twist to Chelsea exit and why AS Roma despite Tottenham interest

Romelu Lukaku says it took ‘half an hour’ to convince him to join AS Roma after sealing a move to Jose Mourinho’s side this week.

The former Inter Milan man had been linked with Juventus and even Tottenham but he will now be working with former boss Jose Mourinho and looking to secure Champions League football this season.

Lukaku told Huxley World after signing the deal : “It just took one call. Both owners called me a few days before the agreement was reached. We spoke for half an hour about their ambitions for the club and the fans. From that point onwards everything moved very quickly.” 

Lukaku has been Chelsea’s top earner for the last two years but spent last season out on loan at Inter Milan where he helped them to the final of the Champions League, losing to Manchester City.

He was expected to return there but talks broke down after Juventus entered the race and agreed personal terms with the player- they could however not reach an agreement with Chelsea and then proposed a sale of Dusan Vlahovic, something the English club turned down.

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino had left the Belgian striker to train with the junior in a move that made it clear he was not going to be part be part of the team.

Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal were also in touch with the striker’s representatives but it became clear he was not interested in going to the Arab country.

AS Roma gives him a chance to play with Jose Mourinho, the manager who trained him at Chelsea and also made him a huge success at Manchester United.