Serie A giants reach agreement in principle with Chelsea for €38m-rated star: Reports
Chelsea are reportedly close to selling Romelu Lukaku to Serie A giants Napoli, ending the Belgian striker's nightmare second Stamford Bridge spell. The veteran frontman spent last season on loan at AS Roma and seemingly has no future with the west London Blues.
Italian outlet La Repubblica (via Get Football News Italy) reports that Gli Azzurri have agreed in principle to sign Lukaku for €30 million. The Premier League heavyweights were looking to sell for €38 million.
New Napoli boss Antonio Conte has been eager to reunite with Lukaku, having previously worked with him at Inter Milan. The 118-cap Belgium international bagged 64 goals and 17 assists in 95 games under the Italian tactician.
Lukaku has become somewhat of a Serie A journeyman following a loan season at Roma. He's also played for Inter and is reportedly on Juventus' wishlist, but they look set to miss out on the Naples outfit.
Napoli's deal depends on the futures of Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The former is likely to depart the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium this summer.
Osimhen, 25, has a €150 million release clause that puts off many suitors. Chelsea were linked with the Nigerian frontman, but their interest appears to have dissipated.
Lukaku looks to be Conte's top target to replace Osimhen following an impressive season with Roma. The former Manchester United forward bagged 21 goals and four assists in 47 games across competitions.
Antonio Conte named Romelu Lukaku as one of two signings he'd have dominated England with at Chelsea
Conte spent two years at Chelsea from July 2016 to 2018 and was a fan favorite. He oversaw 70 wins in 106 games, guiding the Blues to the Premier League title in 2017 and the FA Cup in 2018.
The Italian coach reflected on his time at Stamford Bridge earlier this year and insisted he could have built a dominant team. He said:
"My history says that I always arrived at my clubs in a difficult situation with problems. I always build. After my first season at Chelsea, when we won the title, we could have become dominant in England."
Conte then namedropped Lukaku and Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk as two players he wanted signed during his reign:
"We spoke with Lukaku and Van Dijk, and with those two important players we could have changed the situation."
Lukaku didn't join Chelsea until August 2021, arriving from Inter in a then-club record €113 million deal. Conte had also just left the San Siro before the Belgian striker departed to his former employers.