Officially, Romelu Lukaku Reunion With Antonio Conte In Napoli And Debut Against Parma

New striker Napoli Romelu Lukaku who was recruited from Chelsea. (Instagram @officialssscnapoli)

Striker Romelu Lukaku finally left Chelsea. Napoli, who managed to sign Lukaku so he would reunite with coach Antonio Conte. Lukaku immediately made his debut against Parma in the Italian Serie A match at home at Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, Sunday, September 1, 2024.

Lukaku's future puzzle has been answered. Chelsea already wanted to launch the player. Especially the new manager Enzo Maresca did not include the former Manchester United striker in the team design.

Initially, AS Roma, who borrowed Lukaku last season, intended to make this 31-year-old striker permanent. But Roma got a rival from Napoli who is also aiming for Lukaku. The reason is, Napoli is now handled by Conte, who is very excited about Lukaku. Moreover, they have collaborated at Inter Milan. As a result, Inter won the 2021 Scudetto season.

When Roma had given up because of the always ran aground transfer negotiations, Napoli, who seriously wanted to bring Lukaku. Even though it was quite tough and the competition had already rolled out, Napoi finally succeeded in attracting this Belgian national team striker.

Napoli also disbursed 30 million euros or approximately 513 billion rupiah. The 2023 Serie A champion gave a contract quite long, three years, for his players. Meanwhile, the salary received by Lukaku reaches 8 million euros or 137 billion rupiah every year.

Not only that, Napoli will also still pay Chelsea a 30 percent fee if the club sells Lukaku when his contract is not over.

Napoli became Lukaku's third Italian club after Inter and Roma. He is indeed more successful playing in the Italian Lga than the English Premier League. Lukaku started his career in Italy when Inter recruited from Manchester United in 2019 and lasted until 2021.

Lukaku's brilliant performance made him bring back Chelsea who bought it at a price of 97.5 million. But he was not the first choice and was even eliminated from the squad.

In the aftermath, Lukaku returned to Italy to play in Inter and Roma on loan. Lukaku's best achievement while defending the Nerazzurri. He was able to collect 47 goals during 72 appearances under Conte.

The climax was when Lukaku scored 24 goals in the 2021 season. It's just that he failed to become the top scorer because he lost to Cristiano Ronaldo who at that time defended Juventus. Ronaldo became Capocannoniere after scoring 29 goals.

Joining Napoli, Conte has also prepared to make his debut against Parma this weekend. Lukaku is expected to be able to play the first match sweetly when playing in front of his own supporters, Sunday, September 1, 2024 in the morning WIB.