News Focus
- Lukaku resumes training at Napoli’s base today following his return from Belgium
- The striker will hold talks with manager Antonio Conte after previous meeting snub
- Agent Federico Pastorello confirms the 32-year-old is now “in better shape”
- Lukaku faced club fines after refusing to return during March international break
- Belgian has played just 64 minutes this season due to injury and disciplinary issues
Romelu Lukaku has ended his exile from Napoli by reporting back to the club’s training centre, with his representative Federico Pastorello confirming the Belgian forward will meet Antonio Conte today.
The 32-year-old spent more than one month in his homeland undertaking individual fitness work without the Serie A club’s approval. During the March international window, the former Chelsea striker declined to travel back to Naples, a decision that resulted in disciplinary action including fines and his removal from first-team activities.
Pastorello revealed that Lukaku arrived back at the training ground on schedule and has begun preparations with his team-mates. “Romelu has come back to Napoli as planned. He will start training with the squad now that his condition has improved. After that, the coach will make the final decision regarding his involvement,” the agent told DAZN Belgium via TMW.
The relationship between player and manager appeared strained last month when Lukaku briefly visited Naples for only 24 hours to discuss matters with club directors. However, he failed to arrange a discussion with Conte during that short trip, a move that prompted the Italian coach to voice his frustration publicly.
Lukaku’s campaign has been severely disrupted by fitness problems. A serious muscle complaint at the start of the term limited his involvement to just 64 minutes across all competitions, during which he managed to score once. His current agreement with the Stadio Maradona outfit remains valid until the summer of 2027.
Pastorello remains optimistic about repairing the working relationship between the two parties. “I understand both individuals very well. They both approach football with immense passion,” he stated.