Romelu Lukaku's agent, Federico Pastorello, has stated that the Belgian striker cannot be a backup player at Napoli and will not remain at a club where he is not wanted.
Pastorello addressed his client's current situation with the Naples club. Lukaku is approaching his third season at the Stadio Maradona, with less than a year remaining on his contract. His playing time in the 2025-26 season was limited to just 64 minutes at club level, largely due to a significant muscle injury sustained during pre-season.
When questioned about the possibility of Lukaku accepting a reserve role for the 2026-27 season, Pastorello responded emphatically, "Obviously not. He’s an extraordinary player, and he’s proved it. He’s one of the most prolific strikers in the world. It’s hard for us to accept a situation like that." He acknowledged that while an initial pecking order might exist, performance on the pitch is the ultimate decider.
Pastorello also suggested that comments made earlier in the week by Manna, who indicated he would discuss Lukaku's future with the striker upon his return from holiday, could be influenced by financial considerations, especially with two other top-class strikers at the club. "Lucca will be coming back as well," Pastorello added, noting that this situation creates a stalemate. He described the current transfer market as at a standstill, particularly for strikers, anticipating a domino effect once that market begins.
The agent also touched upon Lukaku's actions in March, when the striker trained individually in Belgium without the club's consent, an act that reportedly angered Napoli. Pastorello defended Lukaku's stance, stating, "Romelu isn't the kind of person who stays where he’s not wanted. A club strategy can be perfectly legitimate." He also mentioned that proposing a contract extension involves additional costs beyond wages, and that Lukaku has earned his current contract level through his career achievements.
“That creates a bit of a stalemate. Right now, the transfer market is completely at a standstill, and the market for strikers hasn’t really started yet. That will have a domino effect.”
“Perhaps the time hasn’t come yet to spread his salary over a longer period. Last season wasn’t entirely his fault. If he had been allowed to stay and train where he wanted, he might have returned sooner and played a leading role at the World Cup, which, in the end, he did anyway. Romelu isn’t the kind of person who stays where he’s not wanted. A club strategy can be perfectly legitimate.”
