Serie A giants Napoli can only secure the services of Chelsea forward Romelu Lukaku on a loan deal in the summer transfer window.
According to a report by Italian journalist Luca Cerchione, Romelu Lukaku is the subject of interest from Napoli. The Serie A giants are scouring the market for a striker heading into the summer transfer window. However, they can only sign the Chelsea forward under pre-set conditions, with a permanent move out of question.
Romelu Lukaku and his eventful career so far
Romelu Lukaku has endured a topsy-turvy ride throughout his professional career thus far. The Belgian international rose in prominence at Anderlecht, compelling Chelsea to secure his services while he was still a teenager. However, he could not establish a foothold in the first-team squad at Stamford Bridge, and Everton signed him nearly a decade ago.
Lukaku’s exploits for Everton earned him a move to Manchester United, where he blew hot and cold before joining Inter Milan in August 2019. The 31-year-old was exceptional for the Nerazzurri, delivering the Serie A title in the 2020/21 campaign before rejoining Chelsea in August 2021. However, the second coming at Chelsea was disastrous, with the experienced striker pining for a return to Italy.
Since then, the former Manchester United striker has spent two years on loan in Serie A, enjoying successive productive campaigns with Inter Milan and AS Roma, respectively. Another return to Italy is on the cards for the player, with Chelsea eager to part ways with him after inserting a release clause in his contract. He is a target for Napoli.
Set to join another Serie A club?
Napoli’s interest in Romelu Lukaku is understandable. The Serie A giants are in a spot of bother over Victor Osimhen’s long-term future, with the Nigerian international a target for high-profile clubs like Chelsea, Arsenal, and Paris Saint-Germain, among others. So, it behoves the Partenopei to scour the market for a top-notch striker.
Lukaku’s name thus features on Napoli’s wishlist, with Antonio Conte keen on reuniting with the Chelsea forward, who contributed to 25 goals at AS Roma this season (21 strikes, 4 assists). However, Napoli will only sign the Belgian international under pre-set conditions, with a permanent move not on the cards.
While Antonio Conte is prioritising reuniting with the 31-year-old this summer, Napoli can only afford a loan move. However, the Serie A giants are ready to pay Romelu Lukaku’s wages. But it will be interesting to see if Chelsea will sanction a loan move for the experienced attacker.
