Napoli’s Giovanni Manna Discusses Romelu Lukaku’s Transfer to Fenerbahce
Napoli director Giovanni Manna has sparked conversations at Fenerbahce by acknowledging their luck in finding a buyer for Romelu Lukaku. The forward’s tenure with Napoli ended under strained circumstances, particularly as preparations for the 2026 World Cup unfolded, marked by his refusal to return from Belgium for injury treatment.
Despite conflicting statements emanating from both the player and the club, both parties eventually reconciled. “The situation was complicated, because footballers are a little egotistical, as everyone is really,” Manna articulated during an appearance on the Colpi da Maestro podcast, as reported by 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,” he added.
As the summer approached, it became clear that the 33-year-old Lukaku’s journey with Napoli was coming to a close. However, securing a transfer that met the player’s contract expectations proved to be a challenge.
The negotiation with Turkish club Fenerbahce eventually concluded with a transfer fee of €6 million plus add-ons in mid-August.
Manna explained, “When we signed him, we had sealed a pretty complicated agreement with Chelsea for a three-year contract. Things never go the way you expect; we had to deal with a big salary, especially after investing significantly in Rasmus Hojlund as his replacement.” He further remarked, “The sale did not transpire as we had anticipated, but in a challenging 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 joining Fenerbahce, Lukaku has registered a single goal and an assist in 13 competitive matches.
