Romelu Lukaku confirms talks with a Champions League club

On the very nice goal that Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi scored last night for Belgium against the Czech Republic, former Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku provided the equally nice assist. Or should we say future Chelsea striker? Mayyyyybe? Maybe not?

According to an interview Lukaku gave after the 2-1 win, he and his agent are in discussion with an unnamed “club that plays Champions League” football. Chelsea and Manchester United have been strongly linked, and they both fit the bill, as do recent rumor mill entrants Bayern Munich.

“I know what's going on, but I will work my agent [Mino Raiola]. I’m the player, I have to make the decision. We are now in talks with the club. I just look forward.”

The report in Gazet van Antwerpen claims that Lukaku “wants most of all” a return to Chelsea, but that Raiola would prefer to do business with United instead, just as he did with Zlatan, Pogba, and Mkhitaryan. Either way, Lukaku wants Champions League football and a Premier League title or two.

“I want to play in the Champions League and try to win the Premier League a few times. That would be important for my development as a player. I do not stay at the level where I am now. I just want to improve myself and I know [where] I want to do that.”

-Romelu Lukaku; source: GvA via Google Translate

It was then put to Big Rom that he might fetch a big price, with Everton slapping a £100m price tag on him. “We’ll see if it happens”, he smiled.

Chelsea looked to be in the driver’s set for Lukaku not that long ago, but with a perfect storm of events (Costa probably staying, Griezmann probably staying, Zlatan injured, Atléti banned from transfers, etc.), Manchester United may be ahead at this point.

As Lukaku says, we’ll see.

UPDATE: Here’s the wonderful Kristof Terreur with a full transcript once again.

Griezmann won’t move to Manchester United due to Atlético’s transfer ban. There’s a lot of talk that you’re their priority now. On the other hand, Diego Costa won’t go to Atlético either, which would complicate things at Chelsea. What’s your view on that?
“I know what’s happening. But I can’t tell you anything more.”

You know what’s happening... So something’s happening.
“I know what’s happening. (laughs) I know what’s happening, but I will leave the talks to my agent.”

He likes to do business with Manchester United
“I’m the player, I will take the decisions.”

You’ve shown that before by not following his advice.
“The most important thing is: I want to win trophies. We are now talking to THE club. As for the rest... I’m looking ahead. What I would like most is to play in the Champions League and try to win the Premier League once. Or better: a few times. That would be the most beautiful thing. That’s important for my progress as a player. I don’t want to stay at the same level. I want to improve and I know what I want to do that.”

Do you become the £100m man?
“We’ll see what happens.”

Today you have shown Chelsea that Michy Batshuayi and you can play together
(walks off)

Apparently that last question was just a bit too loaded or a bit too annoying for Lukaku. Either way ... hmmm...

Hmmmm....

Hmmmm.

Hmm!