Napoli confirm permanent signing of Romelu Lukaku

Napoli have confirmed the permanent signing of ostracised Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku for a reported £37m fee.

The Belgium international was part of a group of Blues players who were told they had no future at Stamford Bridge earlier this summer. Having spent last season on loan at Roma, Lukaku was keen for a return to Italy and soon emerged as a target for the 2022/23 Serie A title winners.

A fee was eventually agreed between the two clubs, meaning Lukaku will now play for a third Italian team after two stints with Inter and another temporary spell at Roma.

While one of the most prolific strikers in modern international football with 85 goals in 119 Belgium matches, the 31-year-old has largely struggled for consistency at club level.

Signed by Chelsea in 2011 after his talent was spotted at Anderlecht, Lukaku impressed during seasons on loan with West Bromwich Albion and Everton, later making his switch to Goodison Park permanent.

The 2016/17 campaign saw him score 25 Premier League goals, leading to a high-profile move to Manchester United for an initial £75m. However, he largely struggled for form and left with a record of 42 goals in 96 appearances in all competitions before reviving his career with Inter.

Lukaku struck up an instinctive forward partnership with Lautaro Martinez at San Siro as his goals powered the Italians to the 2020/21 Serie A title and the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana the following season before returning to Chelsea for a whopping £97.5m.

Things started well enough as he scored on his second Blues debut in a 2-0 win at Arsenal but a falling out with then manager Thomas Tuchel saw him frozen out of the squad, resulting in his return to Italy for two seasons on loan with Inter and Roma.

READ THE LATEST CHELSEA NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP