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Romelu Lukaku and Napoli have reportedly reached a verbal agreement. According to Sky Germany, Chelsea forward Lukaku is eager to join Napoli, where Antonio Conte plays a significant role. While an agreement in principle exists between Lukaku and Napoli, Chelsea and Napoli have yet to finalize the transfer fee.
Chelsea is asking for €40 million for Lukaku, but Napoli is currently only able to offer €25 million. Last season, Lukaku was on loan with Roma, another Serie A team, and he even took a pay cut to facilitate the move. He prefers to remain in Italy rather than compete for a spot under Chelsea’s new head coach, Enzo Maresca.
Lukaku is willing to halve his salary to join Napoli. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports that Napoli won’t sign Lukaku until they sell their star player, Victor Osimhen. Chelsea aims to recoup a substantial part of the €113 million they initially spent on Lukaku, but the deal is contingent on multiple factors.
Although Lukaku has offers from Saudi Arabian clubs, he prefers to stay in Europe, particularly in Italy. His ideal move is to reunite with Antonio Conte at Napoli, having enjoyed a successful partnership with him at Inter Milan.
Over the past week, PSG has initiated talks with Napoli and Osimhen about a potential transfer. Osimhen is keen on moving to PSG, even though he dreams of playing in the Premier League. The two clubs now need to agree on a transfer fee, with PSG reluctant to activate Osimhen’s release clause.
Lukaku’s move to Napoli is currently on hold. Despite his readiness to make significant sacrifices to reunite with Conte, including reducing his salary from €11 million per year to €6 million, the transfer hinges on Osimhen’s move to PSG. Lukaku has a contract with Napoli waiting until 2027, but everything depends on the transfer involving Osimhen and PSG.