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epa12092555 Napoli’s forward Romelu Lukaku celebrates after scoring the goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match SSC Napoli vs CF Genoa at Diego Armando Maradona stadium in Naples, 11 May 2025. EPA-EFE/CESARE ABBATE
Romelu Lukaku has once again left Naples in order to return to Belgium to continue his recovery work, but reports indicate that this could be the final farewell between Big Rom and the Partenopei.
Lukaku and Napoli at final farewells?
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Lukaku has hardly featured for Napoli this season after suffering a serious injury to his hamstring during the club’s final pre-season friendly of the summer. His first competitive outing of the season came on January 25, but the Belgium international has only managed to feature for 64 minutes across seven appearances all told this campaign.
Since March, Lukaku has not regularly been training with Napoli either. The striker took an unauthorised leave of absence in March to stay in Antwerp to continue his recovery work, but the club had not approved and eventually decided to issue a fine.
He then returned to Italy, but only for brief talks with representatives for the club before returning to Belgium again, this time with permission.
Lukaku returned to Napoli at the beginning of last week, but reports from various outlets on Wednesday confirm that he will once again head back to Belgium in order to train at his national team’s training centre ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Lukaku is not expected to return before the end of the 2025-26 season, and reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport indicate that Napoli are now actively seeking a sale.
The Pink Paper adds that Napoli do not wish for any further rifts with Lukaku, who is still considered a financial asset. The Paretnopei are at risk of making a capital loss on Lukaku, and so, the club hope to keep a positive relationship with the striker in order to facilitate a smooth sale in the summer.
The 33-year-old has a contract with Napoli that runs until the end of next season, expiring on June 30, 2027.
ByPeter Young
Peter Young is a Senior Reporter with Football Italia.
