Romelu Lukaku found himself frozen out at Chelsea in the summer of 2023 and ex-Blues manager Carlo Ancelotti wanted to sign him for Real Madrid, according to his agent
Nathan Ridley
16:17, 17 Oct 2025
Romelu Lukaku of SSC Napoli looks dejected during the Pre-Season friendly match between SSC Napoli and Brest at Stadio "Teofilo Patini" on August 3, 2025 in Castel di Sangro, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Romelu Lukaku could have ended up at Real Madrid had things panned out differently(Image: Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Romelu Lukaku's agent has revealed that Carlo Ancelotti wanted to bring him to Real Madrid - only for their pursuit of Kylian Mbappe to take priority. Lukaku, 32, is now settled at Napoli, helping them win the Serie A title last term after a few years in the wilderness.
During the summer of 2023, having fallen out of favour at Stamford Bridge, the striker returned from a loan spell with Inter Milan but found himself unwanted. Roma eventually came to his rescue, as he joined the Italian giants for a season.
But things were nearly very different. Real were after a forward that summer and Ancelotti, a fellow former Blue, identified Lukaku as a target.
"I must be honest and say there was an opportunity, at a time when it wasn't clear where Romelu was going and with Ancelotti as coach," Lukaku's agent, Federico Pastorello, revealed to AS.
"They were thinking of reinforcing the forward line, but they were already focused on the big signing of Mbappe for the following year and didn't want to spend money on a loan.
"So let's say there was an opportunity because Ancelotti would have liked it; he always held Lukaku in high regard, but unfortunately it didn't materialise."
MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 14: Carlo Ancelotti, Manager of Real Madrid reacts during the LaLiga match between Real Madrid CF and RCD Mallorca at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on May 14, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Alberto Gardin/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
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(Image: Alberto Gardin/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Ultimately, Real opted to sign Joselu on loan from Espanyol for a nominal loan fee. Ancelotti's men won the Champions League that year and welcomed Mbappe on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain, a move that was years in the making.
Lukaku went on to score 21 goals in 47 appearances for Roma, persuading Napoli to fork out £30million and end his Chelsea torment for good. The Blues lost the majority of the £97.5m fee that they paid for him in 2021, seven years after initially letting him go to Everton.
The Belgium international recently played a key role as Antonio Conte's side became champions of Italy. Lukaku is yet to feature this campaign, having suffered a thigh injury during a pre-season friendly.
Sadly, the 32-year-old lost his father, Roger, in September. Lukaku hopes to be back playing in November.
Pastorello added in the interview that he regrets brokering the deal that saw Lukaku return to Chelsea following his success at Inter under Conte. "It was the right decision at the time," Pastorello explained.
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"Then there are the human variables; no one could have predicted Lukaku's difficulties, perhaps not so much environmental ones, because he knew the club, but rather in his relationship with the coach.
"He came from an almost father-son relationship with Conte, and that difference in approach affected him in some way, along with the injury he suffered. If it hadn't been for that, the story would have been different."
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