Romelu Lukaku’s agent, Federico Pastorello says he and his family received threats while he was working on the striker’s £97.5m Chelsea move.
Despite saying he was happy to stay with the Italian Champions, Inter Milan, Lukaku reversed his stance earlier this month and told Inter that he wanted to join Chelsea if the right offer was received.
True to his word, Lukaku left Serie A, Inter Milan and moved to Chelsea where he completed a £97.5 million move after helping the club end its 11-year wait for their 19 th. Italian title. This move made the Belgium’s all-time goal scorer the most expensive player ever sold by a Serie A side and comes at time that clubs are facing financial challenges.
However, his move has been linked with financial instabilities at Inter Milan that were caused by coronavirus pandemic hence the need to “force” the transfer for financial gains. This has resulted to his agent Pastorello claiming in a statement that he and his family have received death threats over the strikers move.
Moreover, Pastorello has defended his work pointing out he was in part responsible for Lukaku’s transfer to the Italian club.
He said, “Many of those who today insult me and threaten me thanked me wholeheartedly for bringing him to Milan. I have always accepted-and will continue to do so. Confrontation and constructive criticism they are part of the game for those who play a role with considerable media relevance”.
“What we absolutely cannot tolerate are the falsehoods, insinuations, insults and threats we have received against my family and daughter, which have far exceeded the limits of civilization, decency and tolerance”.
“Believe it or not, the supporters’ affection and the special bond with the city of Milan made him think about it for a long time. But then, once he made his decision, he carried on with conviction and firmness”. Continued Pastorello.
“The economic aspect is a detail, but it is not the main factor that determines our choices and those of our client”.
“With regards to FC Internazionale, I can guarantee that the Sport CEO Giuseppe Marotta, the sporting director Piero Ausilio-as well as the coach Simone Inzaghi who worked at this personally-did everything in their power to avoid this transfer”.
“But there are circumstances that go beyond their decision making range and depend on the instructions of the owners”.