Napoli Show Interest in Signing Raheem Sterling from Chelsea After Romelu Lukaku Injury
Napoli are weighing up a move for Raheem Sterling after Romelu Lukaku’s injury blow. The Serie A champions are pushing for an urgent attacking reinforcement and may ask Chelsea to soften their stance on the England international.
Sterling back in Napoli’s sights
Napoli are once again considering a move for Raheem Sterling, according to Corriere dello Sport. The club sees the Chelsea winger as a potential short-term solution following Romelu Lukaku’s serious muscle injury, which will sideline the Belgian striker for a large part of the season.
Chelsea are currently demanding around £25 million (€29.5m / R$183.5m) for Sterling, but Napoli’s board is exploring a loan deal with a salary split. The forward earns £16.9 million (€20m) per season and remains under contract at Stamford Bridge until June 2027.
Conte and De Laurentiis hold emergency talks
Following Lukaku’s setback, Napoli manager Antonio Conte, club president Aurelio De Laurentiis, and sporting director Giovanni Manna held an urgent meeting to discuss reinforcements. Sterling’s name quickly resurfaced as a realistic, though financially challenging, target.
Other strikers under consideration
Sterling is not the only option on Napoli’s radar. The Serie A side is also monitoring:
- Nikola Krstović (Lecce)
- Andrea Pinamonti (Sassuolo)
- Joshua Zirkzee (Manchester United)
The club’s priority is to secure an immediate replacement capable of maintaining attacking consistency during Lukaku’s absence.
Negotiation outlook
While talks with Chelsea are expected to be complex, Napoli believe a deal is possible if the Premier League side accept flexible payment terms or a partial salary cover.
The board hopes to decide quickly whether to intensify efforts for Sterling or shift focus to alternative targets. With Lukaku out long-term, Napoli’s attacking market moves are now a top priority for the club this transfer window.
