Romelu Lukaku to Real Madrid? Carlo Ancelotti wanted ex-Chelsea striker ahead of Kylian Mbappe transfer, agent reveals

In an interview with AS, renowned agent Federico Pastorello lifted the lid on a surprising twist in recent transfer history - Lukaku’s brief link with Madrid. The Belgian striker, now at Napoli, was apparently on Ancelotti’s radar in 2023 when Los Blancos were evaluating options to strengthen their forward line.

At that point, Madrid were still waiting for their long-term target, Mbappe. According to Pastorello, the club were unwilling to commit funds for a loan move while anticipating the Frenchman’s arrival. Madrid then made the pragmatic choice of bringing back academy product Joselu, a move that ultimately paid off. The Spaniard proved instrumental in helping them win both La Liga and the Champions League, turning a low-cost gamble into a success story.

"Well, don't let any club get mad at me, but I think Real Madrid is the best club in the world for many reasons," he said. "I must be honest and say there was an opportunity, at a time when it wasn't clear where Romelu was going and with Ancelotti as coach."

The agent admitted that Lukaku’s move to Spain never go through due to Madrid’s long-term vision: "They were thinking of reinforcing the forward line, but they were already focused on the big signing of Mbappe for the following year and didn't want to spend money on a loan. So let's say there was an opportunity because Ancelotti would have liked it; he always held Lukaku in high regard, but unfortunately it didn't materialise."

The revelation adds another layer to the story of Madrid’s patient pursuit of Mbappe, a saga that dominated European football for years. While Lukaku’s name was quietly floated around in the background, the club stayed loyal to their dream of bringing the French superstar to the Bernabeu, a decision that would later reshape their attacking future.

Madrid’s strategy paid off handsomely. After years of pursuit and multiple rejections, Florentino Perez finally landed Mbappe on a free transfer, one of the most dramatic moments in modern football history. The move underscored the club's financial discipline and long-term planning, avoiding costly short-term fixes while waiting for their marquee signing.

The 26-year-old's debut season brought promise despite falling short of major trophies. He still netted 44 goals across competitions, proving why Madrid were right to wait. Under new boss Xabi Alonso, the Frenchman has been unstoppable, scoring 14 goals in 10 matches this season before suffering a minor injury while on international duty with France.

Meanwhile, Lukaku’s journey took him to Italy, where he played a key role in Napoli’s title-winning campaign last season, contributing 14 goals and 10 assists. However, a thigh injury has sidelined him until early 2026, halting his momentum just as he appeared to rediscover his best form.

Los Blancos' upcoming fixtures will test both Mbappe’s recovery and Alonso’s tactical setup. The Spanish giants face Getafe on October 19, followed by a Champions League clash with Juventus three days later, before locking horns with Barcelona in the first El Clasico of the season on October 26. Mbappe’s fitness remains a key storyline as fans eagerly await his return to full strength. His form could define Madrid’s ambitions this season, especially in Europe, where expectations are sky-high.

As for Lukaku, his focus remains on rehabilitation and returning to action for Napoli in 2026. Off the pitch, he continues to mourn the loss of his father, Roger, who passed away last month at 58, a tragedy that led the Belgian striker to remove all his social media posts except one heartfelt tribute.