Federico Pastorello has ruled out a move back to Everton for 32-year-old Belgian international Romelu Lukaku, who will continue with Napoli until the end of the 2025/26 season.
According to a report by Italian outlet Il Mattino, Romelu Lukaku is the subject of interest from Everton. The Toffees are keen on reinforcing their offensive unit by signing a striker in the winter transfer window. So, the 32-year-old Napoli centre-forward has emerged as a target for the Merseyside outfit.
However, while Everton launched a move to re-sign the veteran striker in the winter transfer window, Federico Pastorello has intervened and ruled out a return to the Merseyside club for his client. Instead, Lukaku will remain with Napoli until the end of the 2025/26 season, and his entourage will decide on his future in the summer.
How has Romelu Lukaku fared in his career?
Romelu Lukaku has become a journeyman between spells in England and Italy over the past decade. The 32-year-old has represented four Premier League clubs and three Serie A outfits since leaving Anderlecht, enduring a topsy-turvy ride in stints with Everton, Chelsea, Manchester United, Inter Milan, AS Roma, and Napoli.
Napoli signed Lukaku from Chelsea in August 2024, and he enjoyed an excellent debut season with the Partenopei. However, the Belgian international has struggled with fitness issues in the 2025/26 campaign, and he has yet to play a single game this term. However, the veteran striker’s stock remains high, with Everton among the prospective suitors vying for his signature in the winter transfer window.
Premier League return on the horizon?
Everton’s interest in Romelu Lukaku is understandable. The Toffees have been combing the market for a striker heading into the winter transfer window, as Beto and Thierno Barry have not been consistent enough in the final third for the Merseyside outfit in the 2025/26 season.
Several candidates, including Tammy Abraham, have thus emerged on Everton’s wishlist, with Lukaku also a viable target. However, a January return to the Merseyside club is not on the cards for the former Chelsea and Manchester United striker, as Federico Pastrorello has intervened in the matter.
The Italian super-agent has ruled out a January exit from Napoli for Lukaku, thus rebuffing Everton and Besiktas. The 32-year-old Belgian international will not leave before the summer transfer window, and Everton must look elsewhere for a striker this month.
