Why Romelu Lukaku and Chelsea have been left in limbo as striker's desired transfer to Napoli may not go through

Chelsea have been looking to sell £97.5 million ($118m) flop Lukaku permanently for the best part of two years but are yet to do so. Loan spells at Inter and Roma followed but he is still a Blues player. Despite being wanted by former manager and Napoli boss Conte, the 31-year-old faces an uncertain future.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Napoli don't know who their number nine will be for the new season. Despite their efforts to sell striker Victor Osimhen, who has a £110 million ($141m) release clause, the Nigerian remains at the Italian side and Lukaku's arrival is only possible if the 25-year-old leaves the club.

The report adds Lukaku is very keen to reunite with former Inter boss Conte at Napoli but at present, the only team with a realistic chance of signing Osimhen is Paris Saint-Germain. Meanwhile, the Belgian forward is reportedly training on his own as he tries to prepare for the new season.

Gazzetta adds Lukaku is set to head to Cobham, Chelsea's headquarters, next week and will resume individual training. Chelsea are understood to be keen to move him on before the squad return from their pre-season tour of the United States on August 7.