Napoli director Giovanni Manna said on the Colpi da Maestro podcast that the club were fortunate to find a buyer for Romelu Lukaku in Fenerbahce. His comments, via Tuttomercatoweb, addressed the striker's departure after a difficult end to his time at Napoli.
Manna on the background to the exit
Manna told the Colpi da Maestro podcast, via Tuttomercatoweb: "The situation was complicated, because footballers are a little egotistical, as everyone is really."
Manna told the Colpi da Maestro podcast, via Tuttomercatoweb: "He was thinking about the World Cup and being at his best for that, whereas we were challenging for a vital target like the Champions League. It happens in football."
Football Italia says Lukaku's relationship with Napoli became tense and hit rock bottom in the build-up to the 2026 World Cup because he refused to return from Belgium to undergo treatment for his injury.
Football Italia says there were statements from both parties giving a very different view of the situation, but they eventually made peace.
Contract and transfer difficulties
Football Italia says it was evident going into the summer that Lukaku's time at Napoli was at an end.
Football Italia says finding someone willing to pay for Lukaku's transfer and with contract terms that satisfied the player proved tricky.
Explained Manna: "When we signed him, we had sealed a pretty complicated agreement with Chelsea for a three-year contract."
Explained Manna: "Things never go the way you expect, we had to deal with a big salary, also having made a large investment on Rasmus Hojlund as his replacement."
Fenerbahce move agreed
Football Italia says Napoli and Fenerbahce shook hands on Lukaku's transfer at a cost of €6m plus add-ons in mid-August.
Giovanni Manna: "The sale did not go the way we expected, but in a complicated transfer market, we were fortunate we found someone ready to buy him. In any case, I wish him all the best, he won the Scudetto with us and that means a lot."
Since the move
Football Italia says Lukaku has scored just one goal with one assist in 13 competitive appearances for Fenerbahce since the move from Napoli.
