Napoli Transfer Market: Convincing Romelu Lukaku to Leave Is the Least of Their Problems

Fenerbahçe is serious about signing Romelu Lukaku, but to secure the Belgian striker, it will first have to reach an agreement with Napoli. The Azzurri have set a fairly high asking price for the player, partly because a substantial portion of any proceeds would have to go to Chelsea.

According to Il Mattino, about 40% of the proceeds from the sale would go to the London club. For this very reason, Napoli is aiming to secure at least 10–12 million euros, a sum that would allow the club to recoup at least the costs incurred for the player.

The financial demand currently represents the main obstacle to the deal, perhaps even more so than the need to convince Lukaku to move to Turkey. The striker’s attorney has been working on this front for several days, while Napoli remains optimistic. The goal is to try to break the deadlock in the negotiations before the weekend and find a solution that satisfies all parties involved.

Fenerbahçe is not the only option explored in recent weeks regarding the Belgian striker’s future. In recent days, interest had already emerged from Atlanta United, an MLS club, with which Napoli had initiated initial talks. Lukaku, coming off an extremely difficult season—just five league appearances and one goal, hampered by a series of physical issues that had severely affected his performance—had also shown some openness to the American option. His determination to play for Belgium at the World Cup in North America at all costs had further complicated his relationship with the Neapolitan club.

It is no coincidence, after all, that the Belgian failed to report to the Azzurri’s training camp, effectively making the split inevitable. Fenerbahçe, which is simultaneously working on the acquisition of Vanja Milinković-Savić from Napoli, now appears to be the most likely club to secure his services, provided the parties can reach a financial agreement—which currently remains the main sticking point.