After missing the first leg due to yellow-card accumulation, Romelu Lukaku will try to power Inter in tonight’s return match versus Juventus, where the Nerazzurri will have to come back from one-two deficit on the road. Ahead of the clash, Goal.com insider Romeo Agresti recounted the back story on the Belgian striker almost joining the Bianconeri in the summer of 2019.
At that time, Juventus were looking for a pure centre-forward to pair up with Cristiano Ronaldo and engaged in a negotiation with Manchester United for pull off a one-for-one swap with Paulo Dybala. Lukaku had already agreed to the move and came to terms with director Fabio Paratici on a rich contract, but La Joya preferred not to join the Red Devils, not because of his new salary, but for technical reasons, and the deal was subsequently called off. The attacker was then purchased by Inter for €74M thanks to the pressure by his long-time admirer Antonio Conte.
Lukaku has been highly productive during his time in Milan, however Calciomercato.com points out that he still has something to prove because his track record against top competition leaves something to be desired. As a matter of fact, his last goal on open play against one of the first seven teams in the standing dates back to October 17th. He will have few opportunities to rectify that in the upcoming matches as Inter will face Juventus, Lazio and Milan in the span of two weeks.