Manna: ‘Napoli fortunate we found a Lukaku buyer’ in Fenerbahce

Napoli director Giovanni Manna stated that the club was fortunate to find a buyer in Fenerbahce for 33-year-old striker Romelu Lukaku. Speaking on the Colpi da Maestro podcast, Manna noted that finding a suitable transfer destination for the forward proved difficult during a complicated summer transfer window, but Napoli eventually completed a permanent transfer with the Turkish side for a fee of €6 million plus add-ons in mid-August.

Manna explained that relations between the player and club had grown strained ahead of the 2026 World Cup when Lukaku remained in Belgium for injury treatment. Manna also cited Lukaku's large salary and Napoli's significant investment in replacement Rasmus Hojlund as factors in the departure, while still wishing Lukaku well for helping Napoli win the Scudetto.