Lukaku's shock move to Juventus would place him among football's bad boys
Lukaku could join the list of rival-transfers with a move to Juventus. (image: Instagram/Inter, IMDb)
Romelu Lukaku's recent transfer decision has taken the football world by storm, amidst the Mbappe-PSG-Madrid drama dominating the transfer window. The Belgian forward has surprised everyone by joining the ranks of players who have stirred chaos among their own team's fans.
What
Lukaku has once again flipped the transfer coin, this time seeking a route to Turin. The news of his negotiations with Juventus, bitter rivals of his current team Inter Milan, has understandably left Inter fans unhappy.
Lukaku's transfer dramas have become a recurring theme in recent years. Ever since his move from the Nerazzurri to Chelsea in the summer of 2021-22, his career has stood on shaky ground.
Lukaku's attempted transfer to Juventus immediately after Inter came to his rescue feels like a classic 'bad boy' move, something not unfamiliar in the world of football.
The full Lukaku saga
After joining the blue side of Milan from Manchester United in the summer of 2019, the Belgian forward was in the form of his life. He thrived at Inter Milan, winning the Serie A the following year and being crowned the MVP (Most Valuable Player) of the season, an achievement that speaks volumes about his exceptional form, especially considering the presence of players like Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, a significant dent was made in Inter's structure during a subsequent transfer window with the departure of their manager Antonio Conte and Lukaku himself. The forward made a move to Stamford Bridge for a club-record transfer fee of £97.5 million.
Yet, Lukaku's stint at Chelsea took a dramatic turn when he expressed his desire to return to Inter in an interview, stating that his "heart still lies with Inter." This statement was poorly received by Chelsea management and fans, particularly because it coincided with Lukaku's struggle for form, as he was mostly making appearances off the bench. Some viewed this move as a desperate attempt to secure his place in the team.
Inter subsequently came to his rescue, signing Lukaku on loan for the 2022-23 season. Although his performance was mixed, it was enough for Inter to pursue a permanent transfer. However, this transfer window, Lukaku has caused a huge uproar by engaging in talks with Juventus, following the rejection of two formal bids from Chelsea for the Belgian forward. As a result, the Nerazzurri have withdrawn from the race.
Lukaku not the first of the bad boys
Football history is filled with shocking moves during transfer windows, with players even switching to their arch-rivals. The star-studded list includes Romelu Lukaku as its newest addition.
Carlos Tevez: Manchester United to Manchester City
The Argentinian powerhouse shocked England when he made a surprise move to Manchester City after being part of the iconic attacking trio at Manchester United, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.
Despite vocal opposition from Old Trafford, Tevez showed little concern as he faced both home and away Manchester derbies the following season.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic: Juventus-Inter-AC Milan
Another prominent name on the list is the Swedish giant, Zlatan Ibrahimovic. He has always emphasized his individual importance, regardless of the club he represents. This became evident when he moved from Juventus to Inter and later had another stint at AC Milan. Such level of business certainly leads to conflicts, as one would expect from Ibracadabra.
Sol Campbell: Tottenham Hotspur to Arsenal
Although a milder addition to the list, Sol Campbell's move from Tottenham Hotspur to their arch-rivals Arsenal, and on a free transfer no less, caused significant chaos among Spurs fans.
Luis Figo: Barcelona to Real Madrid
Considered the biggest and dirtiest transfer in football history, Luis Figo's move from Barcelona to Real Madrid ignited a war in Spanish football.
Figo, who was an adored figure among Barca fans and a key player in their 1999-2000 LaLiga triumph, shocked everyone when Real Madrid President Florentino Perez announced his signing.
All hell broke loose in Spain with Barca fans going furious. The move, till this date, is considered as the most shocking move a transfer window has ever brought to the world of football.