The final hours of the transfer market are fiery for Napoli, with president Aurelio De Laurentiis busy building a competitive squad for new coach Antonio Conte. The big move has already arrived: Romelu Lukaku has landed in Naples after undergoing medical tests in Rome.
The Belgian striker, strongly desired by Conte, is ready to lead the Azzurri attack with the aim of bringing the team back to the top of Serie A.
Lukaku , 31, has signed a three-year contract worth €6,5 million a year, accepting a reduction from his previous salary to carve out a leading role for himself in Italy. The deal cost €30 million, and the Belgian has already been welcomed with enthusiasm by Neapolitan fans, who see him as the right man to reinvigorate the team's attack.
Even San Gregorio Armeno, with its iconic statuettes, has already celebrated the arrival of the new striker. Lukaku has a history of successes with Conte: during the two years spent together at Inter (2019-2021), the striker scored 64 goals in 95 games, contributing to the conquest of the Scudetto in 2021.
After another good season with Roma, where he scored 21 goals in 47 games, Lukaku is ready to reunite with his former coach in Naples. Conte hopes to get at least 25 goals from him this season without European competition, counting on his ability to exploit assists from Kvaratskhelia, Politano and Neres.
Although De Laurentiis has always preferred to invest in younger players, such as Higuain, Cavani and Osimhen, the owner accepted the exception requested by Conte, aiming for a more experienced player. The president, however, wants to see the goals as a fair reward for this choice.
Meanwhile, Victor Osimhen's situation remains an unknown. Negotiations for his transfer seemed to have cooled down, but in the last few hours dialogue has reopened with Chelsea, who could increase their salary offer for the Nigerian.
Napoli are asking for at least 100 million to let him go, a figure that could also be reached by Al Ahli, ready to offer a pharaonic contract of 30 million a year to Osimhen. On the arrivals front, Scott McTominay, the Scottish midfielder from Manchester United, is expected tomorrow, who will arrive for 25 million euros.
McTominay, 27, will strengthen the Azzurri midfield and will undergo medical tests in the next few hours before officially signing. But Napoli's market doesn't stop there: the club is also trying to close a deal for Billy Gilmour, a young talent from Brighton.
Napoli have offered 15 million for the 23-year-old, but the English club is asking for 20. The deal could be concluded in the final hours of the transfer market.
On the outgoings front, Gianluca Gaetano was loaned to Cagliari with an obligation to buy, while a lightning deal has opened with Atalanta for Giacomo Raspadori, desired by Gian Piero Gasperini after the sale of Koopmeiners to Juventus.
