Lukaku leaves Napoli to return to Belgium again, club seeking sale | OneFootball

Romelu Lukaku has once again left Naples in order to return to Belgium to continue his recovery work, but reports indicate that this could be the final farewell between Big Rom and the Partenopei.

Lukaku and Napoli at final farewells?

Lukaku has hardly featured for Napoli this season after suffering a serious injury to his hamstring during the club’s final pre-season friendly of the summer. His first competitive outing of the season came on January 25, but the Belgium international has only managed to feature for 64 minutes across seven appearances all told this campaign.

NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 10: Romelu Lukaku of SSC Napoli reacts after missing a penalty in the penalty shootout during the Coppa Italia match between SSC Napoli and Como 1907 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 10, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Since March, Lukaku has not regularly been training with Napoli either. The striker took an unauthorised leave of absence in March to stay in Antwerp to continue his recovery work, but the club had not approved and eventually decided to issue a fine.

He then returned to Italy, but only for brief talks with representatives for the club before returning to Belgium again, this time with permission.

Lukaku returned to Napoli at the beginning of last week, but reports from various outlets on Wednesday confirm that he will once again head back to Belgium in order to train at his national team’s training centre ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Lukaku is not expected to return before the end of the 2025-26 season, and reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport indicate that Napoli are now actively seeking a sale.

VERONA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 28: Romelu Lukaku of SSC Napoli celebrates after scoring his team second goal during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on February 28, 2026 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

The Pink Paper adds that Napoli do not wish for any further rifts with Lukaku, who is still considered a financial asset. The Paretnopei are at risk of making a capital loss on Lukaku, and so, the club hope to keep a positive relationship with the striker in order to facilitate a smooth sale in the summer.

The 33-year-old has a contract with Napoli that runs until the end of next season, expiring on June 30, 2027.