Naples has confirmed the permanent signing of ostracized Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku for a fee of £37m.
The Belgium international was part of a group of Blues players who were told they had no future at Stamford Bridge earlier this summer. Having spent last season on loan at Roma, Lukaku was keen to return to Italy and soon emerged as a target for the 2022/23 Serie A title winners.
A fee was eventually agreed between the two clubs, meaning Lukaku will now play for a third Italian team after two spells at Inter and another temporary stint at Roma.
Despite being one of the most prolific strikers in modern international football with 85 goals in 119 games for Belgium, the 31-year-old has largely struggled for consistency at club level.
signed by Chelsea in 2011 after his talent was spotted at Anderlecht, Lukaku impressed during loan spells with West Bromwich Albion and Everton, before making his move to Goodison Park permanent.
Romelu is proud to be one of us!
💙 #ProudToBeNapoli | #ForzaNapoliAlways | #WelcomeLukaku pic.twitter.com/Z4R4x4LVkz
— Official SSC Napoli (@sscnapoli) August 29, 2024
The 2016/17 campaign saw him score 25 Premier League goals, leading to a high-profile move to Manchester United for an initial £75m. However, he largely struggled for form and left with a record 42 goals in 96 appearances in all competitions before reviving his career with Inter.
Lukaku formed an instinctive forward partnership with Lautaro Martinez at the San Siro as his goals propelled the Italians to the 2020/21 Serie A title and the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana the following season before returning to Chelsea for the a whopping £97.5 million.
Things started well enough when he scored on his second debut for the Blues in a 2-0 win at Arsenal, but a row with then manager Thomas Tuchel saw him frozen out of the squad, leading to his return to Italy for two seasons on loan with Inter. and Rome
