Napoli completes the signing of Romelu Lukaku for £38m

Unwanted Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku has completed his move to Italian giant Napoli for £38 million.

Following positive talks, Antonio Conte, his former head coach, reunited with the 31-year-old Belgian, one of those in the Blues’ ‘bomb squad’ available for sale this week.

The Italian side agreed to pay £26m plus £12m in add-ons for the forward, who has signed a three-year contract to link up once again with Conte.

The deal will see Lukaku represent a new Serie A club after spending the last two seasons on loan in Italy. He was at Inter Milan in 2022–23 and Roma in 2023–24.

Chelsea had previously paid Inter £97.5 million to sign Lukaku in August 2021.

He scored 15 goals in 44 games in the 2021-22 season. He has not played for the Stamford Bridge club since May 2022.

Chelsea have been keen to sell Lukaku permanently this summer rather than sanctioning yet another loan, and Conte is keen to work with him again following their time together at Inter.

Chelsea have also shown serious interest in Napoli’s Victor Osimhen this summer, and they remain in the market for a new striker.

Head coach Enzo Maresca admitted as much after their Conference League win over Servette on Thursday, saying: ‘If we have the chance to bring in a nine that can help us and make the difference, then we are going to try.’

Once Lukaku’s sale is complete, Chelsea should increase their interest in Osimhen.

However, there are plenty of other players that Chelsea want to move on before the transfer window closes.