Manchester United-bound Romelu Lukaku over the moon to be joining Old Trafford club ahead of Chelsea with £75m switch imminent
Everton hitman opened up in his first interview since the mammoth fee was agreed between Toffees and Red Devils
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ROMELU LUKAKU is over the moon to be joining "the biggest club in the world".
The Everton striker, 24, is closing in on a £75million Old Trafford transfer.
He told ESPN: "This is an opportunity that I've always wanted since I was a child.
"When [Manchester United] came calling, I didn't have to think twice. So I'm really delighted to hopefully be part of their history."
When asked why he chose United over former club Chelsea, Lukaku said: "I would say, 'Who would say no to the biggest club in the world?'
"Best stadium in England. The best fans. This is the perfect opportunity. I always said I wanted to play for a team that's challenging for every trophy that there is."
Former Chelsea star Lukaku was sold by Jose Mourinho to Everton three years ago.
But the Belgium hitman, who scored 25 Premier League goals last term, buried any bad blood between the pair ahead of his move.
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He added: "[Mourinho is] a guy who I wanted to play for since I was ten years old, so now to have the opportunity to work under him again is great.
"We were together under different circumstances. The first time when I met him, I was still a young kid, and I was eager to play. And he understood my decision why I left at the time. I returned on the pitch.
"Now I'm 24. I'm a grown man. He sees the maturity that has grown throughout the years, so I'm really thankful for the opportunity he gave me again."
Lukaku is good pals with United's world-record signing Paul Pogba - and is represented by the same agent, Mino Raiola.
And he says the Frenchman was a huge factor in joining.
Lukaku said: "I've been talking to [Pogba] for about seven or eight years. And now he's living in Manchester.
"I live in Manchester. He lives like down the road from where I live, so we're together on a daily basis.
"He was explaining to me how it went at the club, and it triggered something in my head. When the opportunity came, I didn't have to think twice. I'm really excited."