Romelu Lukaku Names His Three 'Dream Clubs', Says Chelsea Were His Fourth Choice In The Summer

Romelu Lukaku has admitted he wanted to join Barcelona, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the summer instead of returning to Chelsea.

The first part of the Belgian striker's bombshell interview with Sky Italia dropped on Thursday and has caused a serious stir after Lukaku revealed he was "not happy with the situation" at Chelsea, took aim at Thomas Tuchel and spoke about wanting to head back to Inter Milan in the future.

He left the Nerazzurri for a second spell at Chelsea, who paid a club-record £97.5 million fee and tied him to a five-year contract on £212,000-a-week.

Image: PA

But a reunion with Chelsea was anything but a dream for the 28-year-old, who had ambitions to join the "three teams at top level" who "all players dream of".

When there was no interest from either Barca, Real or Bayern, Lukaku changed his plans.

"Last summer I went to talk to the Inter board and I asked for a new contract," Lukaku told Sky Italia.

"I said: I’m 28, I wanted to plan my life in Italy with a new deal… but Inter said no. Maybe there wasn’t the economic possibility. For me it was difficult to accept.

"There are three teams at top level: Barcelona, Real, Bayern. All the players dream of them, that’s the truth. I thought I was going to one of those clubs after Inter.

"This didn’t happen and I said: there is only one club where I can imagine myself, it’s Chelsea.

"Last summer I didn’t think about going to Chelsea until they really came with an offer. Simone Inzaghi behaved very well with me.

"When Chelsea contacted me it was a challenge for me. Also because it bothered me a lot to have ever won Premier League titles in 8 years.

"It was hard to turn down the chance to return to the Premier League in the club I support since I was a child."

Image: PA

Lukaku has scored seven goals in 18 appearances during his second stint at Stamford Bridge, but isn't thrilled with his role at present.

In response, Tuchel said he will discuss the matter with Lukaku and that it "brings noise" and is "not helpful" going into the big game with Liverpool at the weekend.

During the same interview, Lukaku claimed he had rejected a lucrative offer from Manchester City a year prior to signing for Chelsea as the timing did not fit.

Despite his remarks, the former Everton and Manchester United striker is not expected to leave West London in the January window.

Topics: Romelu Lukaku, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

@joshlawless_