With Antonio Conte now at Napoli, Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku is being heavily linked with a move to the Italian club.
The two worked with each other at Inter Milan, where they won the Serie A title.
Journalist Simon Phillips recently claimed that Antonio Conte wants to bring Romelu Lukaku to Napoli this summer.
However, there could be a bit of a problem.
The 31-year-old spent last season out on loan at AS Roma, scoring 21 goals in 47 appearances.
Napoli’s stance on Romelu Lukaku
It is not a shock to hear that Conte wants Lukaku at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona after what they achieved together at Inter.
Landing the Belgian may not be easy, though.
According to journalist Luca Cerchione, Napoli do not want to sign Lukaku permanently and are only interested in doing a loan deal because of the player’s age.
Chelsea, on the other hand, only appear to be keen on selling the Belgium international.
It has already been reported that the Blues have turned down a loan offer from Napoli’s Serie A rivals AC Milan.
Should Chelsea loan Romelu Lukaku to Napoli?
That would be another Italian club who Chelsea have allowed Lukaku to join temporarily in three consecutive summers.
The Blues are going to make themselves look like a charity if they keep on doing this.
Ultimately, then, Chelsea should tell every club, including Napoli, that they have to buy Lukaku, otherwise he is staying at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea actually need a striker, so they may as well keep hold of the former Inter and Manchester United star if they are only getting loan offers for him.
After the closure of the January transfer window, Nicolas Jackson was the only natural No.9 in Mauricio Pochettino‘s squad. There is certainly room for Lukaku, but you would still expect him to leave the club this summer. A loan move, though, is not good for his current employers.