Pogba catalyst in star’s move

– Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba played a “big role” in Romelu Lukaku’s decision to join the Premier League giants from Everton, the Belgian striker has said.

The 24-year-old completed his switch on Monday, his reported £75 million fee making him the club’s second most expensive signing after last year’s world-record deal for French midfielder Pogba.

“He is one of my best friends, and he is my neighbour as well,” Lukaku said. “We are together on a daily basis so he would explain to me how things were going.

“When he signed for United, to have witnessed that, it really triggered something in my brain and I knew that if one day I had the chance to sign then I would not say no.”

Pogba last week posted pictures with Lukaku on social media, calling himself ‘Agent P’.

Lukaku finished runner-up for the league’s Golden Boot award last campaign with 25 goals and was tipped to return to champions Chelsea but chose to reunite with manager Jose Mourinho.

Lukaku trained with United’s squad on Monday ahead of their US tour which begins with a match against LA Galaxy on July 16. – Reuters

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