Antonio Conte reveals current Tottenham director Fabio Paratici tried to hijack Inter's Lukaku deal

Planet Sport writer
23 February 2022

Antonio Conte instructs Romelu Lukaku from the sidelines

Inter ended up signing Lukaku from Manchester United for £66million, but Conte has revealed that Paratici tried to persuade the Belgian to instead join Juventus.

Lukaku ended up in Milan and fired Inter to Serie A glory with 64 goals in 95 matches across his two seasons in Italy.

However, things could've been far different if former Juventus director Fabio Paratici managed to convince Lukaku to instead fly to Turin.

Three years on, both Conte and Paratici find themselves reunited in north London, as they try and help Tottenham qualify for the Champions League.

The duo worked together previously at Juventus, where Conte delivered three league titles, and having built up a relationship, the Italian manager believes Paratici only wanted to sign Lukaku as he knew that Conte was a big admirer of the Belgian forward.

🥁 The one you've all been waiting for...

Conte Cam is here. 😍 pic.twitter.com/fMLYcpHmz2
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) February 21, 2022

Speaking ahead of Spurs' Premier League clash with Burnley, Conte also stated that Paratici tried a similar transfer tactic with Dejan Kulusevksi, with the Swede joining Juventus in 2020 despite interest from Conte's Inter side.

"I asked for Kulusevski when I was at Inter from Juventus," said the 52-year-old.

"I opened the idea with Paratici. But he opened the idea to cut me out of the deal, not to reinforce Juventus, you understand, but to only to damage myself.

"Because in the transfer market, there is a strategy. He tried also with Lukaku, Paratici - to buy Lukaku for Juventus because he knew very well that I like him and wanted him in my team.

"It was the same for Kulusevski. But at that time, maybe Juventus were stronger than us in the transfer market."

Paratici has since delivered on Conte's desire to work with Kulusevksi, with the 21-year-old winger joining Tottenham on loan during the January transfer window.

Having registered a goal and assist against Manchester City last week, their relationship together has already started brightly.

DK21. pic.twitter.com/p8XJ3HpSYG
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) February 22, 2022

When asked about the Swede's performance, Conte said "Kulusevki is a young player, 21 years old. But when you go to sign players here in England, you have to check many aspects.

"I continue to repeat this, because this is the top league and it's very difficult to play. It's not for all this league.

"If you play in this league, you can play in every league. But it doesn't mean if you play in another league, you can come here to play. I think we have to pay great attention.

"Bentancur and Kulusevski are two good signings, two good prospects for the philosophy of the club, two good players to develop - but players that are ready now, ready to play and to help us."

Tottenham will be hoping to see Kulusevski continue his strong start in the Premier League when they travel to Burnley on Wednesday evening.

A win for Spurs sees them apply pressure to the top four positions, and with games in hand over their rivals above them, a result at Turf Moor is crucial to their Champions League qualification hopes.