Chelsea FINALLY get agreement for flop

Jacque Talbot

• 21 Jul 2024 14:00 BST
• 4 min read

Romelu Lukaku and Napoli have reached a verbal agreement in principle, according to reports.

Sky Germany state that the Chelsea forward Lukaku wants to join Napoli with Antonio Conte - and now a deal between the player and the Serie A side has been reached.

It's thought that Chelsea want €40 million for the striker, but they are yet to reach a deal with Napoli.

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Lukaku spent last season on loan with Napoli's Serie A rivals Roma, even reducing his salary to make the move possible. He prefers to stay in Italy rather than compete for a spot under Chelsea's new head coach, Enzo Maresca.

Indeed, he is willing to halve his salary to seal a move to the club according to Romano, who said that Napoli will not sign the 31-year-old unless or rather until their star man Victor Osimhen is sold.

Chelsea are hoping to recoup a fair chunk of the €113 million they paid but a deal hinges on many factors. At the moment, it's thought that Napoli can only offer €25m as things stand.

Lukaku has Saudi suitors, but he would prefer to remain in Europe and, specifically, in Italy. Lukaku's dream move is reuniting with Antonio Conte at Napoli after the two had previously enjoyed an eminently successful time together at Inter.

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The feeling is mutual as Lukaku is Napoli's top target, with the 2023 Serie A champions fully aware that they will likely need to replace Victor Osimhen this summer. They have an agreement allowing the Nigerian to leave, but clubs have been reluctant to pay his €120m-€130m release clause.

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Lukaku willing to take pay cut

Over the past week, PSG have opened talks with Napoli and Osimhen over a potential summer transfer and the 25-year-old was quick to give the green light to the French champions despite dreaming of playing in the Premier League.

Now, it is up to the two clubs to agree on a transfer fee, with PSG unwilling to trigger Osimhen's release clause.

A move for Lukaku is currently on ice despite the Belgian being willing to make some major sacrifices to reunite with Conte. Romano has revealed that the Belgian's agreement on terms with the Italian side will see his salary almost halved, falling from €11m per season to €6m.

A contract until 2027 is waiting for Lukaku, but the striker remains in limbo. Everything ultimately depends on Osimhen and PSG.