Romelu Lukaku REJECTS transfer away from Chelsea

Carlo Garganese

Updated: 4 Aug 2024 14:31 BST
4 min read

Romelu Lukaku has rejected a move to Premier League side Aston Villa, according to Nicolo Schira.

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Schira reports that Aston Villa made an approach this week for Lukaku, but the Belgian striker made it clear that he is only interested in joining Napoli.

Lukaku has already agreed personal terms with Napoli, and is waiting for Antonio Conte’s side to sell Victor Osimhen before they can complete a deal to bring in Lukaku as a replacement.

Ill Mattino reported a few days ago that Aston Villa had reached a total agreement with Chelsea to sign Lukaku.

The Midlands-based outfit are eager to sell Colombian forward Jhon Duran and reportedly agreed a fee to purchase Lukaku as his replacement.

But both Villa and Chelsea have been left frustrated by Lukaku’s refusal to move to Villa Park.

Lukaku expected to join Napoli

It has been well known for weeks now that Lukaku will join Napoli from Chelsea this summer once the Italian club are able to offload Victor Osimhen.

Indeed, Sky Sport Italia report that Lukaku is already working with Napoli manager Conte and his staff by receiving instructions for the new season.

Lukaku has been receiving training and tactical instructions from Conte in order to best prepare him for the 2024-25 Serie A season that begins in three weeks.

Lukaku did not travel to the United States with Chelsea for their pre-season tour as he is out of the project.

The Belgian has agreed a three-year contract with Napoli, according to multiple reports.

He has given his verbal approval to a deal until 2027 on a wage of €6.5 million a year plus bonuses. There could be an option included in the deal to extend until 2028.

READ MORE: Euro 2024 top scorers

Napoli’s offer to Chelsea still falls short of their asking price of around €40m but the Italians are confident of doing a deal for €25m.

In order for the transfer to be completed, Napoli must first sell Osimhen, who has also been linked to Chelsea, as well as PSG and Arsenal.

If Lukaku signs for Napoli, he will be reunited with Conte.

Conte and Lukaku previously worked together at Inter, where the Belgian played the best football of his career on the way to winning the 2021 Scudetto.

Conte previously tried to sign Lukaku when he was Juventus and Chelsea manager.

Lukaku is not in Chelsea’s plans for next season following his return to the club after his loan at Roma this past season.

© IMAGO - Lukaku had an inconsistent 2024

Lukaku at Chelsea

Lukaku initially rejoined Chelsea from Inter in the summer of 2021 for a then-club record transfer fee of €115 million.

But he was a disaster during the 2021-22 campaign, falling out with manager Thomas Tuchel, criticising the club publicly and performing poorly on the pitch.

Chelsea have tried to sell Lukaku since then but have been unable to find a club willing to pay the amortised cost of his transfer each summer.

As a result, he spent the 2022-23 campaign back at Inter on loan, and then the past season on loan at Roma.

Lukaku played at Euro 2024 for Belgium where he failed to find the back of the net as his country were eliminated in the last 16 by France.