Sky Sport - Napoli in a major row with Lukaku: if he doesn’t return to Italy by Tuesday, he’ll be dropped from the squad

Acting unilaterally, the 29-year-old – who had recently been omitted from the two friendlies against the United States and Mexico due to a clear lack of match fitness – has decided to remain in Belgium to continue his recovery programme with his personal trainer and carry out specific training to return in the best possible condition ahead of the season finale. This decision was not agreed with Antonio Conte, nor with members of the Napoli staff, and certainly not with the club’s management, to the extent that an attempt at mediation has taken place in recent hours between the player’s entourage and sporting director Giovanni Manna.

An attempt that failed to yield a breakthrough, given that Lukaku chose to remain in Belgium to train, prompting Napoli to take immediate action. In addition to the possibility of a hefty fine, Sky Sport reports that Romelu Lukaku faces exclusion from the first-team squad if he does not return to Italy by Tuesday. A strong move to try and achieve a breakthrough in this dispute or, failing that, the definitive escalation of a situation that can only be resolved by a parting of ways at the end of the season. This is despite a contract running until June 2027, which guarantees Lukaku a salary of €6.5 million net plus bonuses.