Serie A giants keen to sign Chelsea outcast on 3-year-deal this summer - Reports
Napoli are reportedly interested to sign Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian has returned to his parent club after a loan spell with AS Roma.
Despite having two years left in his contract at Stamford Bridge, Lukaku already seems to have played his last for the club and could be jettisoned permanently this summer. He last played for the club in the 2021-22 season, spending the last two campaigns away on loan.
As per Gianluca DiMarzio, Napoli have established contact with Lukaku's entourage ahead of a possible move before the start of the new season. With the impending exit of striker Victor Osimhen, the Partenopei are locked in talks to finalise a deal for €25 million, but the Blues are holding out for €10 million more.
Meanwhile, with Lukaku, the 2022-23 Serie A champions are negotiating a three-year deal that would see the player pocket €6 million per year. However, they also need to agree a transfer price with the Blues to get their man.
Lukaku is coming off a lean Euro 2024 campaign with Belgium. Despite top-scoring during qualifying with 14 goals, the big man drew blanks in four games as his team lost 1-0 to France in the Round of 16.
How has Romelu Lukaku fared at Chelsea?
Chelsea hitman Romelu Lukaku has had a rather modest scoring record despite his explosive exploits elsewhere. The striker has contributed just 15 goals and two asissts in 59 games across competitions.
All those goals and one of the assists came in his lone full season with the club in 2021-22, having made just 14 appearances during his first spell at Stamford Bridge between 2011 and 2014.
Lukaku has cored eight times in 36 outings in the Premier League with the Blues - with 28 of them coming in the 2021-22 campaign. His seven other goals have come in three different competitions - three goals in the FA Cup, two in the UEFA Champions League and two in the FIFA World Cup.