Agent Federico Pastorello: “Received Lots Insults For Lukaku’s Chelsea Transfer, Joao Mario Could’ve Stayed At Inter For Another 10 Years”

The agent of Inter striker Romelu Lukaku has revealed that he received widespread insults for arranging his switch to Chelsea in 2021, and argued that the Nerazzurri had cast off Joao Mario too soon.

Lukaku joined former club Chelsea in a record €115 million deal last year after two excellent seasons under former Nerazzurri coach Antonio Conte, but his switch back to the Premier League was a disappointment and he returned to Inter on loan this season.

In an interview with Tuttomercatoweb.com, agent Federico Pastorello also claimed that Benfica midfielder Joao Mario was not given a chance at Inter, after he had arranged for the termination of his contract so that he could return to Portugal this summer.

“We constantly have expressions of interest in him from all over Europe and we are happy,” Pastorello declared of former Sporting CP midfielder Joao Mario, who joined the Nerazzurri in a €40m deal in 2016.

“Joao’s career shows that even Inter didn’t see a bad player when they made this big investment.

“Unfortunately then they write off certain players a little too early and this is a bad habit we have in Italy, because perhaps in other countries they have a little more patience in waiting for the lads to come good.

“But he is incredible: I was in Paris to watch the Champions League match (Benfica vs PSG) and he has an incredible personality and professionalism in a very high level context,” Pastorello continued.

“When the level is raised, Joao feels even more at ease. He’s a guy who deserves everything he’s going through, he’s a pro and a golden boy. I really like representing him, I reflect in him and I also thank him publicly for his trust in us.”

Pastorello revealed that his work to terminate Joao Mario’s contract had seen him receive praise from Inter fans, in equal abundance to the criticism he had been on the end of for his work to move Lukaku to Chelsea, and both situations were proving to be hastily judged.

“I took as many insults for Lukaku’s departure as praise for having taken away Joao Mario. Probably the judgments were too soon, Joao Mario could have stayed at Inter for another 10 years for the qualities he has,” he concluded.

Joao Mario made 69 appearances for Inter, and spent time on loan at West Ham United, Lokomotiv Moscow, and Sporting CP.