The Belgian forward was on the brink of securing a new deal during a March meeting last year, when out of the blue, an astonishing change of heart happened.
“We offered him a deal more lucrative than Chelsea’s, and his agent even came down to Finch Farm ready to sign,” Moshiri disclosed at Everton’s AGM.
“Robert Elstone, our CEO, was present, everything seemed set, media gathered outside, but during the meeting, Rom called his mother. She was on a spiritual trip in Africa and claimed she received a voodoo message telling him to head to Chelsea.”
Moshiri, the Iranian businessman who has pumped around £150 million into Everton, explained that money was never the obstacle.
“The financial offer was not the issue. As the major shareholder, I ensured finances were no barrier.
“We battled for two summers to keep him – negotiating with him, his family, and his agent.
“Last summer, we matched any offer Chelsea made, but Lukaku just wasn’t keen to stay.”
Eventually, Lukaku shifted his allegiance and moved to Manchester United for an initial £75 million, after spending quality time with his friend Paul Pogba.
“I truly liked Rom, and I used every bit of charm to persuade him to stay, but I failed,” Moshiri sighed.
“In the end, we took a financial hit. The cost to buy him now would be over £120 million. His mindset had changed – he was in Los Angeles with Pogba and wasn’t returning.”
The story took a familiar turn with Ross Barkley, another key player Moshiri tried to retain at Everton.
Barkley eventually moved to Chelsea last week after pulling out of a £35 million summer deal.
“I didn’t invest as much effort in keeping Ross as I did with Rom,” Moshiri added.
“He was entering the final year of his contract, yet we didn’t want to lose him.
“Bill (Kenwright) surprisingly received a £35 million offer for a player sidelined by injury, and then Ross changed his mind.
“Sam Allardyce had a talk with him, but Barkley decided against staying.”
© TEAMtalk Media
