Romelu Lukaku can only end up at Napoli this summer if it’s on a loan deal, although the Italian side are willing to pay all of his current Chelsea wages.
That’s according to journalist Luca Cerchione, who reports that Napoli aren’t interested in a permanent deal because of his age.
Lukaku is a major problem for Chelsea to deal with this summer, with him set to return from a loan spell at Roma.
He’s not a part of Chelsea’s plans moving forwards but the list of suitors has grown significantly smaller than it might once have been, with the Belgian even opening to the idea of going to Saudi Arabia despite rejecting the notion last year.
One possible solution has been a return to Italy but this time with Napoli, who are set to lose Victor Osimhen but will be appointing Antonio Conte.
He’s a big fan of Lukaku after working with him at Inter and the suggestion has been he would be open to a reunion with the striker at his new club.
The two clubs have been working on potential deals and dancing around the situation, with the focus at one point having been on a potential deal involving Osimhen, which now appears very unlikely.
Cerchione has now added his information on the matter, insisting Lukaku will only go to Napoli on loan, who are willing to make one particular sacrifice.
“Lukaku at Napoli, to date, can only be a lead under the club’s conditions, i.e. loan – even onerous – with wages paid by the Azzurri,” he said.
“The idea of purchasing the card is not taken into consideration, much less the amount of the release clause in favour of Chelsea, as, due to his age, the Belgian striker is considered not to be of the future.”
