Chelsea has faced a setback in their transfer plans as Napoli has secured a €30 million deal to sign Benfica forward David Neres.
This move comes as Napoli, under new head coach Antonio Conte, shifts its focus after facing challenges in negotiating with Chelsea for Romelu Lukaku.
The London club was firm on their £38 million asking price for Lukaku, which led Napoli to pursue Neres instead.
Neres will soon undergo a medical in Naples and is expected to sign a contract, becoming the club’s fifth signing of the summer. Despite this acquisition, Napoli might still revisit their interest in Lukaku, especially if Victor Osimhen leaves.
Osimhen’s future is uncertain, with Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) reportedly in talks with Napoli, who value the Nigerian forward at around £86 million.
This situation highlights Chelsea’s ongoing challenges in offloading Lukaku, who has struggled to secure a long-term future at the club.
Although there was previous speculation about Lukaku’s potential move to Napoli, this development with Neres indicates that Napoli is diversifying its options, possibly leaving Chelsea to explore other avenues for the Belgian striker.
