The transfer speculation is heating up regarding Napoli’s interest in Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku in this transfer window.
Romelu Lukaku has spent the last couple of years out on loan, but will he and Chelsea finally part ways on a permanent basis this summer?
Corriere dello Sport claims that Lukaku has regularly turned down Aston Villa this summer. Instead, he’s strongly linked with a move back to Italian football, this time with Napoli for the first time in his career.
During various spells in Italy with Inter Milan and Roma, Lukaku has scored an impressive tally of 70 goals in 129 Serie A games.
- READ MORE: The unfortunate statistic Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku achieved during a defeat at Euro 2024 this summer
Antonio Conte wants Romelu Lukaku available for Sunday
According to TEAMtalk, Napoli manager Antonio Conte wants his side to sign Chelsea’s Lukaku in time for him to play on Sunday night in Serie A against Bologna.
It is explained that Conte is pushing to sign the 31-year-old Blues striker this week. Ideally, he wants the Belgium international to complete his signing and medical in Naples by Friday ahead of a debut on Sunday.
The report says that Napoli have made a loan bid for Lukaku with an obligation to buy at €30m (£26m), which could rise to €35m (£30m) with add-ons. Apparently, the talks with Chelsea are ongoing, but the Italian club may increase their obligation to buy offer to a straight £30m to get a transfer wrapped up.
TEAMtalk further adds that Chelsea are desperate to get Lukaku’s £325,000-a-week wages off their books. The player’s agreed personal terms on a £100,000-a-week deal in Naples, but he’s now waiting for the clubs to reach an agreement.
Chelsea will want to forget the Romelu Lukaku saga
Lukaku, who’s had two spells at Stamford Bridge, must go down as Chelsea’s worse ever signing. It cost the Blues £97.5m (BBC) to re-sign him back in 2021, but what’s followed has been a disaster where he’s spent two-thirds of his time out on loan.
There’s no doubting he can still score goals in Italian football and reuniting with Conte seems a no-brainer for all parties. In fact, Lukaku has scored more goals for the Italian manager than anyone else in his career. He’s netted 64 goals in 95 matches for Conte teams, and it looks like that record could grow even further.
It’ll be a relief once Lukaku is finally off Chelsea’s books, so hopefully this deal can be agreed imminently.
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