Napoli is preparing to negotiate with Chelsea for the transfer of Romelu Lukaku. The Italian club is eager to add the powerful Belgian striker to their squad, but their initial offer falls significantly short of Chelsea’s asking price. With Lukaku coming off a successful loan spell at Roma, where he scored 21 goals in 47 appearances, this transfer saga is set to be one of the most intriguing of the summer.

Chelsea has clarified that they are willing to sell Lukaku this summer. However, they have set a firm price of £38 million ($48 million) for interested clubs. This release clause must be met before the transfer can go through. Napoli, keen to reunite Lukaku with their new head coach Antonio Conte, has made an opening bid of €15 million (£13 million/$16 million) plus an additional €3 million (£2.5 million/$3.2 million) in bonuses. This offer is well below Chelsea’s demands, indicating that negotiations must intensify if a deal is to be reached.

Romelu Lukaku’s future: Chelsea, Napoli or AC Milan

Conte recently took charge at Napoli and has had a strong working relationship with Lukaku since their time at Inter Milan. Conte’s arrival at Napoli has fueled speculation that Lukaku is interested in joining him in Naples. Lukaku has reportedly expressed his willingness to work with Conte again, which could be a significant factor in the negotiations.

However, Napoli is not the only club interested in Lukaku. AC Milan has also shown interest in the 31-year-old striker. This means Napoli faces competition for his signature. Additionally, Lukaku has publicly stated his desire to return to Anderlecht, his boyhood club, at some point in his career. He has also suggested that he is open to a move to Saudi Arabia, adding more potential destinations to the mix.

Lukaku’s recent form at Roma has proven that he can still perform at a high level. His 21 goals in 47 appearances across all competitions have caught the eye of several top clubs. If Napoli can secure his services, they will gain a striker with a proven track record in Italian football. Lukaku’s physical presence and goal-scoring ability would be a valuable asset for Conte’s team.

While far from Chelsea’s asking price, Napoli’s initial offer shows their intent to bring Lukaku to Naples. They will likely need to increase their bid if they want to make this transfer happen. The upcoming negotiations between Napoli and Chelsea will determine where Lukaku will play next season.

Despite the financial challenges, Napoli is keen on bolstering its squad to compete at the highest level. The club has just hired Antonio Conte, a coach with a proven track record of success, and it aims to build a team capable of challenging for titles. Adding Lukaku to its ranks would significantly boost its attacking options.

Meanwhile, Chelsea wants to offload Lukaku to streamline its squad and generate funds for new signings. The London club is in a rebuilding phase under its current management and sees this summer as an opportunity to reshape its roster.

Napoli is eager to sign Lukaku and reunite him with Conte. However, they face stiff competition from AC Milan and other potential suitors. With Chelsea holding firm on their asking price, Napoli must decide how much they will invest in securing the Belgian striker. This transfer saga promises to be one of the most exciting stories of the summer as clubs vie for one of Europe’s top forwards. The outcome of these negotiations could significantly impact the upcoming season for both Napoli and Chelsea, making this a closely watched development in the football world.

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