Napoli Signs Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea in £30m Deal

Napoli has secured the signing of Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea for £30 million, reuniting the forward with manager Antonio Conte, under whom he thrived during his time at Inter Milan. The 31-year-old striker, who enjoyed a prolific spell in Serie A, scoring 24 league goals to help Inter win the 2021 Scudetto, returns to Italy after two seasons away from Chelsea on loan, first back at Inter and then with Roma.

Lukaku’s move to Napoli ends a turbulent chapter at Chelsea, where he struggled to justify the club’s £97.5 million investment in 2021. His tenure at Stamford Bridge, marked by injuries and controversies—including a contentious interview criticizing his role under former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel—led to a dip in form and strained relations with the club’s supporters.

The transfer relieves Chelsea of Lukaku’s hefty £325,000-a-week wages, which the club had been eager to remove from their books. Lukaku’s departure coincides with the exit of Chelsea midfielder Tino Anjorin, who has joined Empoli in Serie A on a three-year deal.

Napoli manager Conte has hinted that Lukaku could make his debut for the club in their upcoming match against Parma. Meanwhile, Chelsea and Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli are reportedly in talks to sign Napoli’s star striker Victor Osimhen, potentially offsetting the club’s spending on Lukaku.

Lukaku’s second stint at Chelsea will be remembered as a significant disappointment, with the club recouping just £45 million—£15 million in loan fees and £30 million from the sale to Napoli—of their original investment. The striker now has a chance to revive his career under Conte in Naples, hoping to replicate the success they once enjoyed together at Inter Milan.