Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.
Romelu Lukaku’s agent Federico Pastorello claimed the striker will not settle for a back-up role at Napoli.
The 33-year-old joined Napoli in 2024-25, scoring 14 goals and providing 10 assists as they won the Scudetto in his debut season.
However, he played just 64 minutes across seven appearances in all competitions last season after suffering a thigh injury in pre-season and then missing the end of the campaign with a hip problem.
Lukaku recovered in time to feature at the World Cup for Belgium, but, heading into the final year of his contract at Napoli, his future at the club is in doubt.
Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manni recently said he would need to discuss the striker’s future once he returns to pre-season, but Pastorello made Lukaku’s intentions very clear.
“He’s [Lukaku] an extraordinary player, and he’s proved it. He’s one of the most prolific strikers in the world. It’s hard for us to accept a situation like that,” Pastorello told Sky Sport Italia when asked if Lukaku could be a second option.
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— Official SSC Napoli (@sscnapoli) July 25, 2026
“Obviously there might be an initial pecking order, but ultimately it’s what happens on the pitch that decides.
“Behind Manna’s comments, there could also be financial considerations, given that there are two top-class strikers.
“Even proposing a contract extension comes with additional costs. It’s not just about the wages. Romelu has earned this level of contract because of everything he’s accomplished throughout his career.
“Romelu isn’t the kind of person who stays where he’s not wanted.”
Lukaku has spent the last four seasons in Italy, joining Inter and Roma on loan in 2022-23 and 2023-24 respectively, before sealing a permanent move to Napoli from Chelsea.
Over the last four seasons, Lukaku has directly contributed to the fourth-most goals in Serie A (57), while his shot conversion rate of 20.9% is the second-best among players with 30+ goals in that period (38 goals from 182 shots).
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