The former Inter Milan boss is rumoured to be keen on reuniting with the Belgian but the freshly-appointed Napoli head coach faces competition from the Rossoneri.
Antonio Conte has been appointed Napoli head coach and has seemingly set his sights on managing Romelu Lukaku again.
12:14 - 05.06.2024
Official: Victor Osimhen gets Antonio Conte as new Napoli manager
Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen has gotten a new manager following the announcement of Antonio Conte.
Antonio Conte and Romelu Lukaku
Conte and the Belgian striker won the 2020-21 Serie A title at Inter Milan before the forward’s big-money sale to Chelsea in 2021.
The fiery manager departed shortly after winning the Scudetto with the Nerazzurri and had a brief spell at Tottenham Hotspur before his sacking in March 2023.
Conte was away from football for over a year but has returned at Napoli on a three-year contract, and he is keen to work with Lukaku again according to growing reports in Italy.
With Victor Osimhen’s future uncertain, Conte may lean towards the Chelsea striker to replace the Nigerian at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.
However, Lukaku’s situation with Chelsea — the Blues are against another loan move for their want-away forward — and AC Milan’s interest mean a move to Napoli could be complicated.
With Milan losing Olivier Giroud this summer, the Rossoneri are keen on adding quality and depth in attacking areas, leading to links to Lukaku and Bologna forward Joshua Zirkzee.
11:05 - 04.06.2024
Injury prone, too expensive: Chelsea end Victor Osimhen chase to leave door open for Arsenal
Chelsea have reportedly ended their interest in Napoli and Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen.
What comes next?
Conte reuniting with Lukaku Napoli may come down to Osimhen departing Naples after four years or the Partenopei selling Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Otherwise, Napoli’s European absence and financial constraints may thwart any chance of a reunion between the Italian manager and his former striker.