Il Mattino and Sport Mediaset claim that Aston Villa are ready to pay Romelu Lukaku’s release clause, but the Belgian striker is waiting to join Antonio Conte at Napoli.
Lukaku is eager to reunite with Conte and Napoli and is unwilling to listen to offers from any other club, Il Mattino and Sport Mediaset report.
Both Italian media claim that Aston Villa are ready to pay a €43m clause to sign the Belgian forward, but Lukaku only wants to play for the Partenopei, so tension between him and Chelsea is rising.
Tension between Chelsea and Lukaku as Aston Villa ready to pay clause for Napoli target
Lukaku is training separately at Chelsea, waiting for a transfer, but Napoli and the Blues haven’t yet shaken hands.
According to Il Mattino, the Partenopei have made an offer to sign the ex-Roma and Inter star on loan with an obligation to buy if they qualify for the Champions League this season. Chelsea rejected Napoli’s offer, but Lukaku agreed to personal terms with the Serie A club.
Conte hopes to have Lukaku available for the first Serie A game of the season on Sunday. The Italian tactician will meet Aurelio De Laurentiis today and Napoli are expected to continue talks with Chelsea in the coming hours.
Napoli hope to sign Lukaku regardless of Victor Osimhen’s sale. The Nigerian has an agreement with PSG, but the French club haven’t yet made a convincing offer for Napoli.
- Latest update! Sky: Napoli send verbal Lukaku offer to Chelsea