Chelsea striker Lukaku close to a £30 million agreement with Napoli

Following a breakthrough in negotiations, Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea is almost certain to join Napoli.

The 31-year-old striker from Belgium is predicted to sign a permanent contract with the Italian team for around £30 million, which will contain a sell-on clause. Victor Osimhen may end up going the other way as a result of the transfer, as Chelsea would have preferred for the Nigerian forward to start out on a loan.

Manager Antonio Conte, under whose leadership the Belgian had two outstanding seasons with Inter Milan from 2019 to 2021, has been the driving force behind Napoli's pursuit of Lukaku. For £97.5 million, the attacker returned to Chelsea in 2021, but he had been out on loan in Italy for the previous two seasons, first with Roma and then back at Inter.

He hasn't played for the Blues since May 2022 after his failed attempt to return to Stamford Bridge. After adding 11 players this summer, Chelsea's senior team now numbers over 40, thus the club is trying to sell players.