Premier League: Manchester City Backed Out From Signing $134M Star; Player's Agent Reveals Reason

Romelu Lukaku's agent has revealed why Manchester City did not sign his Belgian client in the summer of 2020.

When Manchester City approached Federico Pastorello, Lukaku's agent, the player's situation at Inter Milan was tricky. He hadn't won the league title yet, which he wanted to and the pandemic made logistics complicated.

"I think I can say without disappointing anybody that Manchester City came in the year before. During the pandemic, it was very complicated because of trying to fly to places to meet people. It started very concrete and very serious, but eventually, they changed their idea or they were not ready to make it happen," Pastorello told The Telegraph.

The 2020-21 season turned out to be amazing for Lukaku, who had moved from Manchester United to Inter Milan in the summer of 2017. Lukaku top-scored for the San Siro side, netting 30 goals, across all competitions, and led them to their first Serie A title in 11 years.

Ahead of the 2021-22 campaign, Manchester City did not return with an interest for Lukaku, who eventually landed at Chelsea, a club where he had kickstarted his Premier League career a decade ago.

"Honestly, it was very difficult after the first year – it was almost impossible. He [Lukaku] hadn't won the league with Inter and he wanted to do that, and it would have been really impossible. Then they [City] focussed on Harry Kane this summer," added Lukaku's agent Pastorello in the same interview.

Lukaku's first spell with Chelsea lasted for only 15 matches, where the Belgian forward did not score a goal. From Chelsea, Lukaku was sent on loan to West Brom and Everton before the Merseysiders eventually signed him permanently.

The 28-year-old forward had a very successful stint at Goodison Park, scoring over 100 goals. After four full seasons at Everton, Lukaku was bought by Manchester United at $99 million. Even though he had a decent run with the Red Devils, scoring 42 competitive goals in 96 matches, a trophy still eluded Lukaku in a top league.

The Belgium national finally won it at Inter Milan when he helped the side triumph in the 2010-21 Serie A.

Chelsea re-signed Lukaku ahead of the 2021-22 campaign at a club-record fee of $134 million. He has netted four goals and an assist in 11 matches, across all competitions, for the Blues this season.