There’s lots going on at Stamford Bridge at present as Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea squad continues to take shape.
News that Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell are surplus to requirements shows the pace at which things are moving in West London after Conor Gallagher and Joao Felix finally completed their deals to Atletico Madrid and the Blues respectively.
One particular deal that has seemingly taken an age to conclude is that of want away striker, Romelu Lukaku.
The Belgian has long been persona non grata at the Premier League outfit but once his loan at Roma expired and it was clear the Giallorossi wouldn’t be able to afford him permanently, the next stage of his career then became an exercise in having to sit tight and hope a decent opportunity presented itself.
After believing to turn his nose up at the Saudi Pro League a year or so ago, they had become a consideration, but the player’s patience paid off when the manager who has always got the best out of him, Antonio Conte, was unveiled as the new Napoli manager.
It wasn’t long before the former Tottenham manager made it clear that he wanted the player who he worked wonderfully well with at Inter to replace the outgoing Victor Osimhen.
As of this moment, the Nigerian hit-man still remains a Partnopei employee, but with little over a week to go before the transfer window closes, this is expected to change.
??? Lukaku-Napoli, deal very close with clubs to meet in London in the next 24h.
Plan confirmed. ??? https://t.co/G5rjXMvljs
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 21, 2024
From Lukaku’s point of view, his Chelsea hell could finally be over in the next 24 hours.
CaughtOffside columnist and transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, posted on X (formerly Twitter) overnight that the deal was very close with a meeting due in London on Thursday.
Once everything is agreed, that’ll be one more off the books and another headache gone for Maresca.
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