By Ohuakanwa Chibuzo
In a significant development for Napoli, Romelu Lukaku is set to become the club’s new star striker, ready to step in as Victor Osimhen’s departure seems imminent. Osimhen, who renewed his contract in December with a salary increase to €10 million per season, has been preparing for a summer move, with Paris Saint-Germain being a potential destination. Although the transfer to PSG hasn’t been finalized, it appears unlikely that Osimhen will remain in Naples.
Lukaku is eager to reunite with Antonio Conte, the manager who has previously brought out the best in him. Reports from TMW indicate that the Belgian striker is already working with Conte’s training programs and instructions, gearing up for a potential move to Napoli.
With the new season just two weeks away, Conte is keen to have his preferred striker in place. While he would have been happy to retain Osimhen, Lukaku represents an ideal successor in Conte’s eyes. Napoli’s management still needs to finalize an agreement with Chelsea, but this is not expected to be a major obstacle.
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This situation highlights the intricate dynamics of the transfer market, with Lukaku’s future closely linked to Osimhen’s potential move to PSG.
In a related development, Conte left Osimhen out of Napoli’s pre-season friendly against Albanian side KF Egnatia last night, opting instead to test a 3-4-2-1 system. This match marked Conte’s third pre-season test with Napoli, and he chose not to include the talismanic Osimhen, who continues to be linked with a move away from the Stadio Maradona. Walid Cheddira, who scored seven Serie A goals in 36 appearances while on loan at Frosinone last season, led the line for Napoli in Osimhen’s absence.