According to a report from Football London, Chelsea have ironed out most of the details with Napoli over a move for Romelu Lukaku and are in the final stages of the negotiations that should soon result in the Belgian returning to the Serie A permanently.
Things have been anything but smooth for Lukaku ever since he returned to Chelsea three summers ago on the back of a £97m move and a lot of fanfare, having won the Serie A with Antonio Conte at Inter Milan the season before. One underwhelming season under Thomas Tuchel and an infamous interview were all it took for Lukaku to be ostracised from the Blues’ first team.
The Belgium international soon found himself back at Inter the following season on loan, after which he spent another season in Italy at Roma.
Now, his permanent return to both Italy and Antonio Conte is imminent as the Neapolitans await his arrival.
Despite flopping for Chelsea, Lukaku has generated commendable numbers in the last two seasons, having produced 35 goals and 11 assists from 84 appearances across all competitions during his Inter and Roma loan stints. (Source: Transfermarkt)
Currently on holiday, recovering from his UEFA Euro 2024 campaign with Belgium, Lukaku is not expected to travel with the Chelsea squad for their 2024/25 US pre-season tour as he readies himself for the imminent medical at Napoli.
This move works for everyone. Conte is arguably the coach who understands Lukaku better than everyone, Chelsea need to cut their losses, and Lukaku himself needs to take as many opportunities as he can get at the top level before his powers start to wane.
Given his record in Italy over the past two years has been decent, and now that he’s reuniting with Conte, expect Lukaku to be firing on all cylinders this season.
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