Napoli forward Lukaku back in Naples as tensions ease after rift

Romelu Lukaku has landed in Naples, touching down at Capodichino airport on Sunday evening in a private jet from Brussels as he prepares to end a prolonged absence that has become one of the more turbulent subplots of Napoli’s season.

Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News & Content – Free Trial – Click Here

According to CalcioNapoli24, the Belgian striker offered no comment to waiting journalists as he made his way through the airport, pausing only briefly when a small inconvenience delayed his exit, having left his tablet on the private jet, he was required to wait in a van for several minutes before it was retrieved.

He was visibly preoccupied, understandably so given the circumstances surrounding his return.

Napoli star Lukaku set for Conte meeting

In the coming hours, Lukaku is expected to meet with Antonio Conte and the club’s hierarchy in an attempt to repair a relationship that has been strained since March, when the Belgian chose to remain in Belgium during the international break rather than report to Castel Volturno as instructed.

Napoli responded by fining him for unauthorised absence, a rare and pointed escalation that underlined the seriousness of the situation.

The two men have not come face-to-face since Napoli’s victory over Cagliari on 20 March, making Monday’s planned return to training the first opportunity for a proper reconciliation.

Lukaku’s season has been wretched, a major hamstring injury in pre-season restricted him to just 64 minutes of action before January, and he has managed only 40 minutes of Serie A football since.

With five games remaining and a Champions League place still to be secured, Napoli will hope the return of their record signing, however belated, can provide some additional firepower in the run-in.