Transfer Talk: Lukaku can go to Napoli but not on loan
The summer transfer window won’t reopen in Europe for a while yet, but there are plenty of moves in the works and gossip swirling around. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course, done deals!
TOP STORY: Lukaku can leave Chelsea but not on loan
Chelsea are insisting that Romelu Lukaku‘s £38 million release clause will need to be met for the striker to leave amid interest from Napoli, reports Fabrizio Romano.
The Blues have made it clear that they are not planning to let the 31-year-old leave on loan after he spent the last two seasons on loan at Internazionale and then Roma.
The latest of those loans saw him record 21 goals and four assists in 47 appearances across all competitions for Roma.
With Chelsea demanding £38m, the feeling is that Gli Azzurri will only be able to complete a move for Lukaku if Victor Osimhen also departs.
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The 25-year-old has been heavily linked with a move away from Napoli, with Chelsea among those who have been mentioned at times.
Chelsea are also ready to look at other clubs’ interest in Lukaku, with Saudi Arabian outfits considering the Belgium international.
In another tweet, Fabrizio Romano mentioned that Napoli are progressing in talks to agree to personal terms with Torino centre-back Alessandro Buongiorno.
New Napoli manager Antonio Conte has made the 25-year-old a priority in the summer transfer window and while there haven’t been any talks between the clubs yet, Napoli are planning for that to happen.
PAPER GOSSIP
– Juventus could try to include midfielder Weston McKennie in a deal to sign Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz, reports Calciomercato, who add that Villa Villa are prepared to pay a €15m dtransfer fee because he only has 12 months remaining on his contract. According to Tuttosport however, I Bianconeri could also look to make a swap deal for Atalanta midfielder Teun Koopmeiners, and Moise Kean is the latest player who could be used in part-exchange with Dean Huijsen and Samuel Iling-Junior having already been mentioned.
– Everton will only accept a “mega offer” for Jarrad Branthwaite with Manchester United looking to step up their interest in the centre-back and sign him before the end of June, reports the Daily Mail. The Toffees are adamant that they want to keep the 21-year-old but a gigantic fee could be weighed up.
– Al Ahli are returning to push for Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich, reports Rudy Galetti, who adds that the Saudi Arabian club attempted to sign the 29-year-old in January. Al Ahli’s CEO has asked for everything possible to be done to convince Kimmich that he should join them, while the club is trying to set up a meeting with the Germany international before Euro 2024.
– Getafe forward Borja Mayoral is among the options that Barcelona could look to sign if Vitor Roque leaves the Blaugrana, reports AS. They have been drawn to the goalscoring ability of the 27-year-old, who recorded 17 goals in 31 appearances across LaLiga and the Copa del Rey this season.
– Burnley want a £30m transfer fee to sanction the departure of James Trafford amid interest from Chelsea and Newcastle United, reports The Sun. That is double the figure the Clarets paid Manchester City for the 21-year-old goalkeeper last year, although Chelsea want the fee to be around £20m while Newcastle will hope it will be less.
