Antonio Conte speaks out about interest in ‘strong’ £38 million Chelsea ace, player wants move to Napoli

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Napoli manager Antonio Conte has spoken out for the first time about any potential interest in Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku.

Since Romelu Lukaku returned to Stamford Bridge during the summer of 2021, the Belgian striker has failed to make the impact he wanted at Chelsea and this comes after he made a positive start to life back in West London.

However, loan moves away from the club have followed as Lukaku spent time at Inter Milan, helping the club reach the Champions League final and AS Roma but it is another Italian side who are now interested in the Belgian.

HITC have previously reported that Antonio Conte’s Napoli are indeed interested in Lukaku this summer.

Conte comments on Lukaku’s possible move to Napoli

Lukaku netted 68 goals during his time in the Premier League and sources confirmed to HITC earlier this month that the Belgian was keen on a reunion with Conte.

As part of Conte’s talks with Napoli before he took the job, HITC understands that he made it clear to the club’s hierarchy that he wanted to bring in Lukaku this summer.

In a recent interview with Calciomercato, Conte was asked about the possibility of reuniting with Lukaku in Naples.

“Romelu is a strong player, like Osimhen an excellent footballer, there are no comments to make and you hope to always have them on your side and never against,” said Conte.

Lukaku’s contract at Stamford Bridge still has two years to run on it and sources have told HITC that the Belgian has a release clause in his contract understood to be worth £38 million.

Napoli’s Lukaku chase leaves more questions on Osimhen’s future

If Napoli do push hard for the signing of Lukaku, you wonder what this would mean for the future of Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen, who himself has a £115 million release clause in his contract.

Ironically, Chelsea are understood to be one of the teams interested in Osimhen but HITC reported last month that the Blues have no intention to pay his release clause.

Of course, Conte could line up with a two striker formation just as he did at the San Siro with Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez forming a devastating duo and this trick could be repeated in Naples, if the Italian gets his way in the transfer market.