Napoli have secured the signing of Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea for £30 million.
The move, driven by Napoli’s manager Antonio Conte, reunites the Belgian with the coach under whom he enjoyed two highly successful seasons at Inter Milan from 2019 to 2021.
Lukaku, 31, rejoined Chelsea in 2021 for £97.5 million but has spent the last two seasons on loan in Italy, first with Inter and then with Roma. He scored 24 league goals and won Serie A under Conte in 2021, which influenced Chelsea’s decision to bring him back.
The transfer to Napoli allows Chelsea to offload Lukaku’s £325,000-a-week wages, as he has not played for the club since May 2022.
Conte hinted in a pre-match news conference that Lukaku might make his Napoli debut in Saturday’s game against Parma (19:45 BST).
In addition to Lukaku’s departure, Chelsea midfielder Tino Anjorin is moving to Italy’s Serie A, joining Empoli on a three-year deal.
Chelsea and Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli are in talks to sign Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, 25, which will help Napoli balance their spending.