The countdown has begun: just a few days left, and Antonio Conte will have his dream striker. The relationship between the Napoli manager and Romelu Lukaku extends beyond the typical coach-player dynamic. Following their successful stint together at Inter, the two have stayed in close contact, sharing laughs, discussions, and advice. It was only natural that when Conte signed with Napoli, the identity of Victor Osimhen’s successor became clear. Lukaku chose Napoli for Conte and turned down all other possibilities.
In just a few days, the two will reunite with the same wide smiles reminiscent of Lukaku’s move to Inter years ago. Contract negotiations began yesterday, and the process is typically lengthy for Napoli, meaning Lukaku may not arrive in Italy until Monday evening. This move marks Lukaku’s fourth adventure in Serie A, representing a different club for the third time.
Giovanni Manna, the sporting director, is currently in London, which is the center of Napoli’s transfer activity. He is likely to return to Italy only once everything is finalized for Lukaku’s arrival. Medical examinations are expected on Tuesday, followed by the first training session on Wednesday, assuming there are no unexpected delays. Aurelio De Laurentiis and Manna are keen to get the new striker to Conte as soon as possible, ideally in time for Saturday’s match against Parma at the Maradona Stadium. They are aiming for a grand presentation to ensure Lukaku feels the immense support from the Napoli fans.
Lukaku has already scored three times at the Maradona but in the “wrong” jersey. Now, he is expected to deliver goals for Napoli as they aim to return to the pinnacle of European football. But how is Romelu’s physical condition? It’s tough to gauge right now. He has trained extensively after the Euros, forgoing extra vacation days to be ready and not disappoint Conte. However, training alone is different, even if he is familiar with the coach’s demanding methods.
Lukaku wants to win the hearts of Napoli fans and honor the effort put forth by President De Laurentiis to “free” him from Chelsea, where he had spent three summers feeling sidelined. The agreement is reportedly for €30 million plus 30% of any future sale, along with a three-year contract worth €6 million net per season plus bonuses for the striker. These are significant figures for a 31-year-old, but De Laurentiis has never been shy about investing in a top number 9, understanding that star strikers can determine the success of a project.
He previously selected players like Calaiò, Zalayeta, and took bold steps with stars like Quagliarella, Cavani, Higuain, and Milik. When misfortune struck with those numbers, Sarri creatively utilized Mertens, a key goal scorer, all the way up to Osimhen, the masked hero of the Serie A title. Signing Lukaku is a bold move that aligns perfectly with De Laurentiis’s ambition to elevate Napoli back to greatness. Now, Conte has the right man to help him in this mission.