LUKAKU ARRESTED BUT UNITED DEAL IS STILL ON
MANCHESTER UNITED still want to proceed with plans to give Romelu Lukaku a ‘Hollywood’ unveiling in Los Angeles this week despite the striker being arrested by Beverly Hills police after holding a noisy party that disturbed neighbours.
Jose Mourinho and the United squad head to California today for the start of an 18-day US pre-season tour and the club are keen to show off their big summer signing as soon as possible, with Lukaku (inset) already in LA where he has been on holiday with United star Paul Pogba.
The Belgian was due to complete a medical there yesterday, after United announced they had agreed a fee with Everton of £75m plus £15m add-ons. In a separate deal Wayne Rooney is returning to Everton on a free transfer.
United are believed to be paying half the £15m wages owed to Rooney on the final year of his contract, with Everton providing the rest. Rooney, 31, travelled to Everton’s Finch Farm training ground yesterday for a medical.
Lukaku’s move, however, took an unusual twist yesterday when it was reported by US celebrity website TMZ that he had been arrested and given a citation by police for disturbing the peace at a party thrown at his rented holiday home on July 2.
It was claimed the property had been visited six times by police following multiple complaints about the noise. Lukaku, 24, was not taken to a police station or formally booked but could still face a fine and has been ordered to a court case in October.
Beverly Hills Police Department said in a statement: ‘On July 2, 2017, at approximately 8pm, Beverly Hills Police Department officers arrested a 24-year-old male subject by the name of Romelu Lukaku Bolingoli. He received a misdemeanour citation for Beverly Hills Municipal Code Violation 5-1-104 — Excessive Noise. The citation was issued after officers responded to five other noise complaints from the same location, which resulted in verbal warnings. ‘These noise violations occurred at a residence in Beverly Hills where Bolingoli was temporarily residing. Bolingoli was released at the scene with the citation and was not physically arrested.
‘Bolingoli is scheduled to appear at the Los Angeles Airport Courthouse on October 2, 2017.’
As the incident took place a week ago, United were insisting they see no reason to change their intention of presenting Lukaku to the media in the movie and television capital of the world.
United are staying in LA all next week before playing their first game against the local Galaxy team on July 15.