August 22, (THEWILL) – Napoli have held talks with Chelsea regarding the potential transfer of striker, Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian footballer is a top target for Napoli’s attack under new manager, Antonio Conte. This meeting marks a significant step in Napoli’s pursuit of the experienced forward.
Giovanni Manna, Napoli’s sporting director, travelled to London on Thursday, to negotiate with Chelsea officials. The meeting, which took place in the late afternoon, also included Lukaku’s agent. Manna’s visit to London serves a dual purpose, as he is also working on a deal for Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder, Billy Gilmour.
While Napoli have reportedly reached an agreement with Lukaku, they still need to finalise terms with Chelsea. The London club’s valuation of the player remains a key point of discussion. Lukaku, who has been training separately from Chelsea’s first team, is keen on the move to Italy.
Lukaku’s potential reunion with Conte at Napoli has generated excitement among fans. During their time together at Inter Milan, Lukaku scored 64 goals and provided 16 assists in 95 matches under Conte’s management. Their partnership led Inter to the Serie A title in the 2020/2021 season, ending Juventus’ nine-year dominance.
The outcome of these negotiations could have a major impact on both clubs’ plans for the upcoming season. Napoli aim to strengthen their attacking options, while Chelsea look to offload a player who does not feature in their long-term plans. Initial reports suggest Victor Osimhen could be involved in these transfer talks but nothing concrete has come out of that.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
