Romelu Lukaku is making progress towards a permanent transfer to Napoli, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Chelsea and the Serie A side are “proceeding with formal steps” to get all the necessary paperwork signed.

The west London club are said to have accepted a Napoli bid for the striker, with reports suggesting that the Blues could get more than £38million in all for the former Inter Milan and Roma loanee.

The Belgium star will sign a three-year contract if the move goes through – for an initial sum of over £26m. The Italian side agreed to pay £26m plus £12m in add-ons for the Lukaku.

Said to be closer than ever to the exit, there has been a willingness to finalise the deal on all sides after negotiations in London.

The deal will see Lukaku represent a new Serie A club after spending the last two seasons on loan in Italy. He was at Inter Milan in 2022-23, and Roma in 2023-24.

The Serie A side initially hoped to sign Lukaku on loan with a view to a permanent deal.

The 31-year-old has spent the last two seasons on loan in Italy, firstly with Inter Milan and then Roma. However, Chelsea wanted a sale this summer and are close to getting their way, with the deal likely to include a sell-on clause.

Lukaku joining Napoli will mean striker Victor Osimhen can leave the Italian club.

Chelsea have kept tabs on the Nigerian all summer, though face competition from Paris Saint-Germain and Saudi Arabia.

Osimhen’s wages, close to £300,000, could prove an issue. Chelsea’s American owners have worked hard to reduce the overall wage bill at Stamford Bridge – and Osimhen’s salary would not fit the new structure.