Napoli set to part ways with Romelu Lukaku after relationship collapse

Napoli are expected to cut ties with Romelu Lukaku at the end of the season after a complete breakdown in their relationship with the Belgian striker, according to reports in Italy.

The tension boiled over when the 32-year-old left for Belgium and spent two weeks training there to work on his injury recovery without informing or securing permission from the club, a move that infuriated the Partenopei hierarchy. He then refused to return to Italy during that period, further deepening frustration behind the scenes.

Lukaku finally reported back to Naples on Monday, where he held talks with sporting director Giovanni Manna but did not meet head coach Antonio Conte, underlining how strained things have become. Napoli have allowed him to head back to Antwerp yet have punished him with a €150,000 fine for his conduct. Reports suggest the rift now extends across the club structure, with Conte also believed to have lost patience.

With Lukaku’s contract due to expire next year, Napoli are understood to be hoping he can use the 2026 World Cup as a platform to rebuild his reputation and boost his market value before a likely summer exit.