Romelu Lukaku and Napoli have agreed that the striker will continue his recovery from injury in Belgium following constructive talks between player and club.
Lukaku returned to Italy on Monday for discussions with Napoli in an effort to resolve a stand-off over his rehabilitation from injury.
The 32-year-old striker has been away from the club’s training base in Castelvolturno following his latest setback, seeking treatment back in Belgium.
The Athletic reported on March 31 that the Italian side were considering taking “disciplinary action” against the Belgium international after he failed to show up for training.
The situation has now been resolved, however, with both parties agreeing that Lukaku will continue to work in Belgium and then return to Naples prior to his participation in the World Cup.
Lukaku has missed the majority of the season with the hamstring injury he sustained during a pre-season friendly in August. He returned to action in January, but has been limited to just seven appearances this season, all from the bench.
The striker withdrew from Belgium’s squad for their international friendlies in March, with the Belgian FA (KBVB) saying on X: “Romelu has chosen to focus on training to further optimise his physical condition.”
Reports in the Italian media subsequently suggested that the forward had chosen to remain in Belgium instead of returning to Naples. Napoli later issued a statement claiming that Lukaku had not responded to a request to return to the club.
Lukaku addressed the situation at the time with an Instagram story, saying: “The truth is that in recent weeks I didn’t feel well physically, I underwent some checks while I was in Belgium, and it turned out there was inflammation and fluid in the iliopsoas muscle, near the scar tissue.
“I could never turn my back on Napoli, never. There is nothing I would want more than to play and make my team win, but right now I have to make sure I am clinically 100 per cent, because lately I wasn’t, and this also weighed on me mentally.”
Lukaku joined Napoli from Chelsea in a deal worth an initial €30million (£25.2m) fee in the summer of 2024. He signed a three-year contract that is set to expire in the summer of 2027.
In his first season, he scored 14 goals and provided 11 assists as he helped Napoli to win the Serie A title.
