Chelsea face transfer nightmare as Lukaku makes Conte reunion decision

Tom Weber

Updated: 21 Jun 2024 16:13 BST
3 min read

Romelu Lukaku, Antonio Conte, Chelsea — © IMAGO

Chelsea's hopes of striking a quick deal for the sale of Romelu Lukaku have taken a significant hit, according to Italian media.

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The Blues are looking to offload the striker this summer after failing to do so last year. Lukaku spent the past season on loan at Roma and did reasonably well, but the capital club can't afford to make his move permanent, with Chelsea asking for €40 million.

The Belgian, who is currently in Germany for Euro 2024 with his country, has suitors elsewhere, chief among them in the Saudi Pro League and in Naples. Napoli have just appointed Antonio Conte as their new head coach and the Italian tactician is keen to reunite with Lukaku.

The two enjoyed an eminently successful time together at Inter and Conte wants to reignite that relationship, having resigned himself to the fact that star striker Victor Osimhen will be sold this summer.

However, the fact that Conte had such a great relationship with Lukaku could prove to be a problem for Chelsea.

Lukaku waiting for Napoli

According to Il Mattino, Lukaku is refusing to engage with Saudi bids until Napoli officially present their offer for the striker. The 31-year-old is keen on remaining in Italy and wants to join the 2023 Serie A champions.

This, in conjunction with the fact that Lukaku is currently at Euro 2024, could be an issue for Chelsea, who had surely hoped to offload him early on in the summer.

Though Chelsea insist that they don't face any complications in terms of the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules, it surely wouldn't hurt if they were to manage to sell Lukaku before the June 30 deadline.

Moreover, the Blues want to turn the player into cash sooner rather than later so as to have more funds at their disposal to reinforce Enzo Maresca's side.

Napoli, for their part, won't sign Lukaku until they manage to find a buyer for Osimhen, with it looking increasingly unlikely that the €130m man will end up in the Premier League.

All of this stalling could delay some potentially important summer business as far as Chelsea are concerned.