Transfer Centre

Chelsea's Romelu Lukaku 'set for Antonio Conte reunion in Serie A'

By Ben Sully | 31 May 2024

Chelsea's Lukaku 'set for Conte reunion in Serie A'

Antonio Conte is reportedly lining up a move for Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku when he takes over the reins at Italian side Napoli.

Napoli-bound Antonio Conte is reportedly interested in a reunion with Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku.

Conte is seemingly on the verge of returning to football management for the first time since leaving his position as Tottenham Hotspur boss in March 2023.

The 54-year-old is widely expected to take over the reins at Napoli, having allegedly reached an agreement over a three-year deal.

Conte will be tasked with sparking an upturn in fortunes following a disastrous campaign for the 2022-23 Serie A champions.

Napoli's missed out on European football after finishing in 10th place in a tumultuous season which saw them sack two managers.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte pictured on March 11, 2023 © Reuters

Conte targeting Lukaku reunion

Rudi Garcia and Walter Mazzarri both experienced short tenures, before Slovakia boss Francesco Calzona took charge from February until the end of the season.

With Conte set to take charge, he will be keen to bring in a number of reinforcements before Napoli kick off the 2024-25 campaign.

According to La Gazzetta Dello Sport, ex-Chelsea boss Conte is looking to reunite with his former Inter Milan forward Romelu Lukaku.

Lukaku is set to return to Chelsea after spending the most recent campaign on loan with Italian side Roma.

The report claims that Napoli is open to negotiating a swap deal which would see Osimhen and Lukaku move in opposite directions.

In addition to the swap, the Italian club would also want Chelsea to pay a fee between €80m (£68.2m) to €90m (£76.7m).

However, in a conflicting update, journalist Fabrizio Romano reports that the two clubs are not working on a swap deal involving Lukaku and Osimhen.

Roma's Romelu Lukaku walks off the pitch after sustaining an injury on April 18, 2024 © Reuters

Lukaku searching for permanent home

Instead of entertaining a swap proposal, the Blues will demand any of Lukaku's suitors to pay his £38m valuation.

Lukaku previously enjoyed success under Conte, scoring 24 Serie A goals in the 2020-21 season to help Inter win the league title.

Those performances earned Lukaku a move to Chelsea, but his second stint with the Blues quickly turned sour following a falling out with then-Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel.

In the last two seasons, the Belgian has spent time on loan with Inter and Roma, leaving him still searching for a permanent move away from Chelsea.