Antonio Conte is already eyeing a raid on his former club Chelsea after taking charge at Napoli, with Romelu Lukaku being his primary target.
Lukaku, still under contract with Chelsea until 2026, has not played for the club in over two years. For Napoli, bringing in Lukaku could signal a new era, especially if they decide to cash in on Victor Osimhen ahead of next season.
Gianluca Di Marzio reports that Conte has already been in touch with Lukaku about a potential reunion even before Napoli confirmed Conte’s appointment. The Belgian striker is considered the “first name” on Conte’s list to bolster Napoli’s attack, described as “always the striker in Antonio Conte’s mind.”
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At 31, Lukaku is available for £38 million and is not expected to be reintegrated into Chelsea’s squad under new manager Enzo Maresca. Conte and Lukaku previously enjoyed significant success together at Inter Milan, where Lukaku scored 34 goals in his debut season and another 30 in the following campaign, helping Inter secure their first Serie A title in 11 years.
However, after Conte’s departure from Inter due to disagreements with the sporting hierarchy, Lukaku returned to Chelsea in a deal worth over €100 million but failed to replicate his previous form. He subsequently returned to Inter on loan, followed by a loan spell at Roma, where he managed over 20 goals across all competitions but only 13 in Serie A.
Meanwhile, Osimhen has been increasingly linked with a move to Arsenal. The Nigerian striker’s new Napoli contract, signed in December, includes a release clause that could facilitate his exit. At £113 million, it would set a new club record for Arsenal, surpassing last summer’s £105 million deal for Declan Rice.