Chelsea transfer news: Wantaway forward 'agrees pay cut' to join Serie A giants

Lukaku returned to West London for a club record fee of £97.5m in 2021, becoming the most expensive Belgian signing and the most expensive player of all time in cumulative transfer fees at the time.

However, the 31-year-old forward struggled to find his best form under the Blues boss at the time, Thomas Tuchel, scoring just eight Premier League goals before he was sent on loan to Inter Milan.

The Belgian returned to Stamford Bridge ahead of last season but was not part of Mauricio Pochettino's plans, and was sent back to Italy on a second loan spell, this time to Jose Mourinho's Roma.

Lukaku has indicated on several occasions that he would like to remain in Serie A permanently, and he may get his wish this summer with Napoli heavily linked with a move for the Blues' wantaway striker.

Lukaku agrees to significant pay cut to join Napoli

According to senior football correspondent Ben Jacobs, Lukaku is pushing for a move away from West London this summer and is willing to take a pay cut in order to get the deal over the line.

GiveMeSport claim that if the proposed deal gets done, the Beligian's wage reduction will see him earn less than half what he currently does at Stamford Bridge.

Jacobs adds that Chelsea are open to letting Lukaku leave in the current transfer window and are considering a move for Victor Osimhem as part of a potential swap deal.

However, it is understood that the Blues are unwilling to pay the £101m release clause for the Nigerian forward, but remain interested in him should the Serie A side be willing to negotiate his price.

Reports in recent days suggested that Gli Azzurri had made a bid of around £22m for Lukaku but Chelsea are asking in the region of £38m, which they want paid in full.

The 31-year-old has scored 15 goals and provided two assists in 59 appearances for Chelsea, and has another two years remaining on his current contract with the club.

Conte and Lukaku eyeing reunion at Napoli

Napoli, now under the guidance of Antonio Conte, are said to have prioritised signing Lukaku this summer and are willing to offer him a three-year deal in Naples.

Conte has openly expressed his admiration for the Belgian, having worked with him during their title-winning season at Inter Milan in 2020-21.

Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna is said to have green-lighted the move, given the club are aware that Osimhen is likely to depart ahead of the new season.

The Nigerian, who played a crucial role in helping Napoli win the Serie A title in 2022-23 is believed to be on the radar of Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain.

PSG are actively looking for a suitable replacement for Kylian Mbappe, who completed a move to Real Madrid earlier this summer, but like Chelsea, the French giants are unwilling to cough up Osimhen's staggering release fee.