Shock Premier League club try to hijack Romelu Lukaku's move to Napoli and have 'agreed terms' with Chelsea

Shock Premier League club try to hijack Romelu Lukaku’s move to Napoli and have ‘agreed terms’ with Chelsea

The Romelu Lukaku saga could take another twist.

A Premier League club has made a shock attempt to hijack Romelu Lukaku’s move to Napoli by agreeing a deal with Chelsea.

For the third summer in a row, Romelu Lukaku’s future is a major issue that Chelsea need to find a resolution to.

Chelsea spent big – £97.5 million to be exact – to bring Lukaku back to Stamford Bridge seven years after he left the club.

However, the Belgian striker failed to replicate the form he showed during two seasons with Inter Milan and 12 months later he returned to the San Siro on loan.

Last season Lukaku linked up with his former Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho at AS Roma, but this summer Chelsea are keen to find a permanent resolution.

With two years remaining on his £325,000 per week contract, finding a suitor who can afford Lukaku is no easy task.

This week Chelsea have been in talks with Napoli over the striker, with the Serie A side reportedly favouring a loan-to-buy agreement rather than an immediate transfer.

Lukaku is understood to be keen to reunite with recently hired Napoli boss Antonio Conte, under whom he scored 64 goals in 95 games for Inter.

Antonio Conte managed Romelu Lukaku at Inter Milan for two years. (Image: Getty)
Antonio Conte managed Romelu Lukaku at Inter Milan for two years. (Image: Getty)

But according to Italian publication Il Mattino, via CN24, Chelsea actually have a ‘total agreement’ with Aston Villa for the transfer of Lukaku.

Chelsea are pushing for the striker to accept the move and discuss personal terms with Unai Emery’s side, but despite Villa being able to offer Champions League football this coming season, the 31-year-old only wants to join Napoli.

Lukaku did not travel with the Chelsea squad for a pre-season tour in the United States and is currently training by himself.

Lukaku’s hopes of joining Napoli partly rest on Chelsea’s pursuit of Victor Osimhen, who looks set to leave the Italian club this summer.

The Nigerian striker, who inspired Napoli to win Serie A in 2022-23, has not been participating in training matches or pre-season friendlies.

The contract Osimhen signed in December has a release clause reportedly worth £111m, but Chelsea are hopeful of negotiating that down significantly.