Romelu Lukaku is on the verge of leaving Napoli to join Fenerbahçe, making him the second major attacking star to arrive in the Turkish league in a matter of days, following Mohamed Salah’s move to Trabzonspor.
Turkish football is experiencing an exceptional summer transfer window, with top clubs engaged in an open race to attract prominent names from European leagues in preparation for a season expected to witness unprecedented domestic and continental competition.
According to Turkish journalist Yağız Sabuncuoğlu, Fenerbahçe has opened direct negotiations with Napoli. Meanwhile, Matteo Moretto confirmed that the Istanbul-based club has taken the lead over other teams interested in the Belgian striker.
Fenerbahçe is attempting to finalize the deal for under €10 million, while Napoli is seeking a figure close to that amount to sanction the sale of the player, whose contract expires in June 2027.
Lukaku prefers to continue his career in Europe, having rejected offers from the Saudi and American leagues. This boosts Fenerbahçe’s chances of securing the deal if the two clubs can agree on the financial fee and personal terms.
Lukaku’s Crisis at Napoli Paves the Way for an Exit
Lukaku’s struggles at Napoli began when he suffered a severe thigh muscle injury in August 2025, which sidelined him for several months and cost him his starting position.
The crisis escalated last March when he decided to remain in Belgium to complete his rehabilitation program instead of returning to Napoli’s training on the date set by the club.
Napoli’s management announced at the time that they were considering disciplinary action against the player. However, Lukaku clarified that medical tests showed he was suffering from inflammation and fluid buildup in the muscle near his previous injury, and his decision was strictly related to his health condition.
The incident damaged the Belgian striker’s relationship with manager Antonio Conte and the club’s board, paving the way for Rasmus Højlund to become the first-choice striker. Lukaku’s agent later confirmed that his client would not accept staying in a team where he isn’t wanted or being relegated to a backup role.
Lukaku joined Napoli from Chelsea in the summer of 2024 for around €30 million plus add-ons. He made 45 appearances for the team across all competitions, scoring 15 goals and providing 11 assists. However, due to injuries, he played only 7 matches and scored just one goal in his final season.
The 33-year-old forward has previously played for Anderlecht, Chelsea, West Bromwich, Everton, Manchester United, Inter Milan, and Roma. He enjoyed his best spell at Inter, leading them to the Serie A title under Conte.
Blockbuster Signings Ignite the Turkish Super Lig
Fenerbahçe has bolstered its squad this summer with a host of high-profile names, led by Mason Greenwood, Nathan Aké, Vedat Muriqi, and Marco Asensio, in an effort to build a team capable of ending their league title drought since the 2013-2014 season.
Trabzonspor, on the other hand, pulled off the biggest and most exciting deal by signing Mohamed Salah following his departure from Liverpool, beating out Beşiktaş, who had reached advanced stages in negotiations with the Egyptian national team captain.
Beşiktaş responded by securing several strong signings, notably Belgian winger Leandro Trossard, Turkish midfielder Orkun Kökçü, and German goalkeeper Alexander Nübel.
Defending champions Galatasaray strengthened their midfield by signing Frenchman Lesley Ugochukwu on loan, adding him to a star-studded roster that already includes Victor Osimhen, Leroy Sané, and Mario Lemina.
The potential arrival of Lukaku at Fenerbahçe, coming on the heels of Salah joining Trabzonspor, could significantly elevate global interest in the Turkish Super Lig, turning the title race into one of the most highly anticipated battles of the new European season.
