Lukaku: 'Dreamed of Inter for some time'

By Football Italia staff

Romelu Lukakau explained when he knew his Manchester United time was over, working with "unique" Antonio Conte and repaying the €65m fee with goals. "I've dreamed of Inter for some time."

The striker gave an interview to the Corriere dello Sport and spoke on an array of topics.

The Belgian effectively replaced Mauro Icardi at the club, taking his No 9 shirt, after weeks of intense transfer talks with Manchester United.

"I don't mind being the most expensive player in Inter's history, nor replacing Icardi, who give a lot here in Milan. When I arrived, Mauro was very nice and kind to me. I wish him all the best at Paris-Saint Germain and hope he wins there. We are two different forwards.

"It would be nice to be Capocannoniere, but I'm not the type of player who says I want this or that individual title. I think of the team first. My biggest motivation is helping the team, and to help the team we score goals.

"So far everything has been fine, but I want to do better by working to the maximum every day in training. Now I'm at 100%, but I don't stop, I want to show Inter that they decided well in signing me."

A challenger for Lukaku's potential Capocannoniere crown is Lazio striker Ciro Immobile, currently on 14 goals.

"Immobile is a great striker. I first learned to speak Italian whilst watching my brother Jordan playing for Lazio on TV. Once I learned that [Ole Gunnar] Solsjkaer planned to put me on the wing, then I knew my time at Manchester United was over."

Lukaku cites Ronaldo de Lima, Adriano and especially Zlatan Ibrahimovic as his role models.

"I've dreamed of Inter for some time. I loved Ronaldo and Adriano, but it was Ibra that taught me everything, especially in our talks on the team bus. I believe he will return to Serie A."

The Inter No 9 was then asked about boss Antonio Conte, who demanded Inter sign the striker throughout the summer.

"Conte is unique. We know what to do in every situation. He and [Jose] Mourinho are the two best coaches of my career."

Talk then turned to the scudetto, with Inter currently battling it out with Juve at the top of the table.

"Better to be silent [on talk of the title]. Many think they can beat Juve, but in fact no one has done it for eight years. We have to take one game at at time."

Lukaku has scored nine goals for Inter this season in all competition.

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