The summer’s second 100 million transfer is perfect. Star striker Romelu Lukaku leaves the Italian champions Inter Milan and joins Champions League winners Chelsea FC. According to consistent media reports, the 28-year-old Belgian is due for 115 million euros – only Jack Grealish (25), who moved to Manchester City for 117.5 million euros, was still spending more money in the current changeover period. Lukaku signed a contract until 2026.
With his new transfer fee, Lukaku is replacing Neymar (29) as the player who has generated the largest transfer revenues in football history. So far, the Brazilian has moved for a total of 310.2 million euros, Lukaku has now moved up from third to first with 327.6 million euros and overtakes Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo (36; 230 million euros).
Lukaku new at the top: players with the highest transfer revenues
In addition, the attacker set two other records. In addition to the most expensive sale of a Serie A club – Paul Pogba (28), who moved from Juventus to Manchester United for EUR 105 million for five years, took this place – Lukaku is also the new record entry at Chelsea. This position was previously held by Kai Havertz (22) and goalkeeper Kepa (26), each with 80 million euros. Furthermore, Lukaku joins the now twelve professionals who have cost at least 100 million euros.
For Lukaku, a return to Chelsea will come full circle
For the left-footer, who, according to reports, has agreed with the Londoners on a net annual salary of 12 million euros and thus earns 4.5 million more than with the Nerazzurri, he will come full circle with his return. On August 8, 2011, almost exactly ten years ago, Lukaku moved to Stamford Bridge for the first time at the age of 18 from the youth club RSC Anderlecht. At that time, however, he could not live up to the high expectations and finally left the club after only 15 professional appearances without hits and two loans in 2014 to Everton FC.
“I am happy and blessed to be back with this wonderful club,” said Lukaku. “It was a long journey for me: I came here as a child who still had a lot to learn, now I come back with a lot of experience and more mature. The relationship I have with this club means a lot to me (…). I supported Chelsea as a kid and to be back now and trying to help them win more titles is an amazing feeling. “
Now 12 replacements over 100 million euros: the most expensive transfers in history
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18 Jadon Sancho – BVB to Man United – 20/21 – Transfer fee: € 85 million
The 98-time national player of the Belgian “Red Devils” played 95 games for Inter, in which he scored 64 times and also provided 16 assists. Before Lukaku, the financially troubled Italians had already lost coach Antonio Conte, who had left the club, and Achraf Hakimi (22; to PSG). “This is a very hard blow for Inter, as the coach (Simone Inzaghi, d. Red.), The manager team and above all the fans had actually assumed that they would start the season with the current team. But in the current financial situation in which football and, above all, the owners of the club find themselves, such an offer could hardly be refused, ”explains Jatin Dietl, Transfermarkt Area Manager Italy. Nevertheless, the “mood of the fans towards the Chinese owner has hit rock bottom”.
