Napoli hold "concrete talks" regarding Romelu Lukaku's future as a summer exit now begins to loom on the cards

Romelu Lukaku's time with Napoli appears to be coming to a strange end. (Image credits – CommonsWikipedia, Licence Details)

Romelu Lukaku and Napoli have held “constructive talks” to resolve the differences between the two parties over his injury rehabilitation. The Belgian No. 9 is set to continue his recovery before he returns to Italy ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer.

There has been quite some controversy regarding the location of his rehabilitation, as he spent the recent days away from the club's training facilities, citing a need to seek special treatment in Belgium. The club has always urged the striker to recover under the jurisdiction of the club, which would help them monitor his progress, to which the player's party has refused, igniting the rift.

Now it's being reported that the former Manchester United and Chelsea no. 9 will continue his recovery from a hamstring issue in his homeland, and the club has finally agreed to his conditions. However, he must return to Naples before he heads back to the United States of America for the World Cup with the Belgian squad while being in perfect physical condition.

Lukaku addressed the growing controversy with a message for everyone on his social media and assured his commitment to the club. He says, "The truth is that in recent weeks I didn’t feel well physically. I underwent some checks while I was in Belgium, and it turned out there was inflammation and fluid in the iliopsoas muscle, near the scar tissue," he posted on Instagram. 

He added, "I could never turn my back on Napoli, never. There is nothing I would want more than to play and make my team win, but right now I have to make sure I am clinically 100 per cent, because lately I haven't been, and this also weighed on me mentally.” 

It's a relief for the player, as just a few weeks back the club were assessing potential disciplinary action on the Belgian striker. Antonio Conte had given his green light to sanction a potential disciplinary charge against Lukaku after he failed to report for the club's training sessions.

However, after both the parties held talks, any chances of a potential punishment are off the charts now, and the club are set to welcome Lukaku back on the pitch as soon as he recovers from his hamstring injury.

Several reports also link the Belgian striker to a move away from Naples this summer as the club has grown frustrated with the player's attitude. He has received a fine of €150,000 from Napoli, and his exit might be on the cards.

The Partenopei might let him return to Antwerp in Belgium on loan, while a permanent exit might also be on their plan. The striker’s agent has also started to look for new clubs that would be interested in securing the services of the former Chelsea and Man Utd striker.

The 32-year-old missed the majority of the season after suffering a hamstring injury early in the season, and his refusal to recover in the club's training facilities has also frustrated the club. Lukaku, who earns huge wages at the club, has only scored one goal in his seven appearances this season, which does not justify his wages at all.

Lukaku has not yet met Antonio Conte, but he is expected to be fit for the last three games of the Serie A, and he will head back to Belgium again. However, it is up to the manager now whether he would welcome him back and give him minutes in the remaining few games this season. A summer exit seems inevitable if the player fails to commit himself to the club after the conclusion of the World Cup.