Paul Pogba has revealed how he enticed Belgium international Romelu Lukaku to Manchester United earlier in the summer.
Lukaku looked set to join Premier League champions Chelsea only for Jose Mourinho to swoop and secure a £75million deal.
Pogba has been close friends with the 24-year-old for many years and has lifted the lid on his role in convincing him to sign for the Red Devils.
‘I had been preparing for this – it was long work,’ Pogba said on Copa 90’s FIFA and Chill show.
‘I took him to dinner and I talked to him [about Manchester United].
‘I had to work for it but the finale is that he’s here, he’s here with us and he’s banging in the goals.
‘He’s a player who knows the Premier League well and can help us a lot.’
France international Pogba added: ‘When you’re with those people that you’re close to, you know you would die for them too.
‘It’s always good to be close with your team-mates on and off the pitch.’
Speaking for the first time after agreeing to join United last month, Lukaku said the opportunity to work with Mourinho again was too good to refuse.
‘This is an opportunity that I’ve always wanted since I was a child,’ the talisman, who scored 24 goals for Everton last season, told ESPN.
‘When [Manchester United] came calling, I didn’t have to think twice. So I’m really delighted to hopefully be part of their history.’
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