Fenerbahce are close to completing a deal to sign Romelu Lukaku from Napoli, with the Belgium striker having provisionally agreed to join the Turkish club.
The expected move comes only days after Trabzonspor announced the signing of Egypt captain Mohamed Salah on a two-year contract, a high-profile transfer that caused major excitement in Turkey.
According to Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, negotiations between Fenerbahce and Napoli have reached their final stages and the transfer could be completed within the next 24 hours.
Lukaku has agreed in principle to a two-year contract worth 10m euros, including bonuses. Fenerbahce want to add the experienced forward to their squad as quickly as possible as they prepare for the new season.
Napoli are also prepared to sanction the departure of the 33-year-old. The Italian club are understood to require a fee of between 10m and 12m euros to avoid making a capital loss on the player.
Lukaku joined Napoli in 2024 and helped the club win the Serie A title during that season. His proposed move to Fenerbahce would give him the opportunity to continue competing for a place in the Champions League, with the Turkish side currently involved in the qualifying rounds.
The transfer would also have financial implications for Napoli. The club would remove Lukaku’s gross annual salary of 11m euros from its wage bill, giving them greater flexibility in the transfer market.
Napoli agreed to pay Chelsea 40% of any future transfer fee when they signed Lukaku in 2024. As a result, a subsequent sale to Fenerbahce would involve a payment to the London club under that arrangement.
Lukaku’s agent, Federico Pastorello, is expected to hold talks in Italy as the two clubs work to complete the deal.
Fenerbahce planning for domestic and European challenge
Lukaku’s arrival would give Fenerbahce’s new manager Ismail Kartal an attacking option with considerable experience at the highest level.
The Turkish club are aiming to compete for domestic honours while also making progress in European competition. Their participation in the Champions League qualifying rounds means Lukaku could remain involved in the competition if Fenerbahce successfully negotiate the preliminary stages.
The proposed transfer would add further attention to the Turkish league following the announcement that Trabzonspor had secured Salah for two years. That deal was described as unprecedented in Turkey because of the scale and reputation of the player involved.
Fenerbahce’s negotiations for Lukaku are now at an advanced stage, with the final discussions expected to determine whether the Belgian completes his move from Napoli within the next day.
