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Real Madrid TransferRomelu Lukaku

Ancelotti Wanted Lukaku at Real Madrid; Agent Reveals Mbappé Pursuit Halted Transfer

Shivansh Rana | 3 min read | 3 weeks ago | Oct 17, 2025 04:16 pm IST
Ancelotti Wanted Lukaku at Real Madrid; Agent Reveals Mbappé Pursuit Halted Transfer

You ever wonder about the huge transfers that almost happened? Well, here’s a wild one for you. Romelu Lukaku’s agent just revealed that Real Madrid’s boss, Carlo Ancelotti, seriously considered signing the Belgian striker back in 2023. But the whole plan was scrapped for one big reason: Kylian Mbappé.

Key Takeaways

  • Carlo Ancelotti wanted Romelu Lukaku at Real Madrid in 2023 as a short-term option.
  • Real Madrid decided against the move to focus all efforts on signing Kylian Mbappé in 2024.
  • Lukaku’s agent, Federico Pastorello, revealed these details in recent interviews.
  • Pastorello also admitted Lukaku’s record £97.5 million return to Chelsea in 2021 was a “mistake.”

So, What Exactly Happened?

Look, it’s pretty straightforward. In 2023, Real Madrid needed some more firepower up front. According to his agent Federico Pastorello, Ancelotti saw Lukaku as a perfect short-term solution. He’s a proven goalscorer, powerful, and could have filled a gap. The talks were real. Ancelotti was interested.

But here’s the thing. Real Madrid was playing the long game. Their ultimate prize was always Kylian Mbappé. The club decided that making a move for Lukaku, even a temporary one, might complicate their primary mission. So, they pulled the plug on the Lukaku deal to keep all their resources and focus squarely on securing Mbappé for the summer of 2024. And as we all know, they got their man.

The Mbappé Shadow

It’s crazy to think about, right? One superstar’s future arrival completely changed the path of another. Pastorello made it clear in interviews with Spanish papers AS and Estadio Deportivo. The pursuit of Mbappé essentially blocked the transfer for Lukaku. Instead of heading to Madrid, Lukaku ended up joining Roma on loan.

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This news has sent ripples through the football world. Fans are now debating what could have been. Would Lukaku have thrived under Ancelotti at the Bernabéu? We’ll never know, but it’s a fascinating ‘what if’ scenario.

An Agent’s Honest Admission

Pastorello didn’t just talk about the failed Madrid move. He also got brutally honest about Lukaku’s record-breaking £97.5 million (€115 million) return to Chelsea in 2021. In hindsight, he admitted it was a mistake. That move made Lukaku the most expensive Belgian player ever, but it just didn’t work out.

It’s rare to hear an agent be so candid. It shows the incredible pressure and high stakes involved in these mega-deals. One wrong move can define a player’s career, and one long-term target like Mbappé can change everything for someone else.

So, what do you think? Would Lukaku have been a hit at Real Madrid, or did the club make the right call by waiting for Mbappé? The debate is just getting started.