Everton striker Romelu Lukaku has revealed that he turned down Juventus to stay at Goodison Park this summer.
The Belgium international was strongly linked with a move away from Merseyside in the summer transfer window, with Chelsea believed to be keen on re-signing the forward, who scored 25 goals in all competitions last season.
Lukaku has claimed that it was Italian champions Juventus who led the race for his signature, but the 23-year-old rejected the interest as he has unfinished business at Everton.
"It stings a little [not being in European competition], but I'm someone who believes that everything happens for a reason," Lukaku told Het Nieuwsblad. "Otherwise I would have gone to Juventus instead of staying at Everton. But I opted for Everton because it was too early for Italy and I have not done badly here."
Lukaku has not yet scored for Everton this season after struggling to overcome a succession of slight injuries, but the forward is confident that he will soon hit the goal trail for his English club.
Matt Law
