Chelsea and Napoli have agreed a deal for striker Romelu Lukaku after months of negotiations, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Blues accepted a bid structured with a €30 million fixed fee plus add-ons up to €15m for a €45m potential package. He will sign a deal with the Partenopei that runs until 2027.
Napoli head coach Antonio Conte was keen on a reunion with the Belgian striker, with whom he won the Serie A title in 2021. However, negotiations between the two clubs have dragged on.
The Premier League side inserted a £37 million release clause in his deal before letting him leave on loan for AS Roma last term, where he bagged 21 goals and four assists in 47 appearances.
Chelsea also insisted they would not do a loan deal with their Serie A counterparts.
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is a famously tough negotiator. He refused to budge or pay the release clause. They have now agreed a deal that suits all parties, and Lukaku will return to Italy.
The deal could also pave the way for Chelsea to sign Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, who is itching to leave Naples after four seasons.
The 25-year-old is reportedly Chelsea’s top target this summer, with manager Enzo Maresca recently declaring the club needs a new number nine.
Osimhen is a world-class striker on his day that can bolster Chelsea’s forward line. The Nigerian international is a relentless force of nature and will give the West Londoners the bite Nicolas Jackson lacks.
Osimhen spearheaded Napoli to their infamous 2022/23 Scudetto win with 26 goals and four assists in 32 Serie A appearances. The former Lille and Wolfsburg centre-forward can lead Chelsea back into contention for Champions League football following two disappointing seasons.
However, negotiations with Napoli are never straightforward. The three-time Serie A champions will likely insist on his release clause, which is believed to be between €120-€130m.
Chelsea can also hold out till the final minute, knowing Paris Saint-Germain have ruled themselves out of the race for his signature, setting up a showdown heading into the final days of the transfer window.
