Serie A manager begs star to reject Aston Villa offer

Aston Villa's ambitious attempt to sign Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku has taken a surprising turn, as Napoli's interest and an intervention from their manager, Antonio Conte, complicate the Premier League club's efforts to secure the Belgian forward.

Aston Villa's active transfer window

Under the guidance of manager Unai Emery and sporting director Monchi, Aston Villa have been busy in the transfer market this summer, completing eight signings already. Despite having Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran in their squad, the Villans are still searching for another striker to bolster their attacking options.

Corriere dello Sport reports that Aston Villa are prepared to outbid Napoli for Lukaku's signature, having made an enquiry about the 31-year-old striker. Chelsea are looking to sell Lukaku for around £35 million, and Villa seem willing to meet their financial demands.

Napoli's swap deal and Conte's intervention

However, Napoli have been in discussions with Chelsea regarding a potential swap deal involving Lukaku and their own striker, Victor Osimhen. The two clubs are currently £10 million apart in their valuation of Lukaku, which has stalled the negotiations.

Antonio Conte has made a personal intervention in an attempt to block Lukaku's potential move to Villa Park. Italian journalist Ciro Venerato, as cited by CalcioNapoli24, reports that Conte has urged Lukaku to reject Aston Villa's advances. The Italian tactician, who enjoyed a fruitful partnership with the Belgian striker during their time at Inter, is keen to rekindle their working relationship at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Villa continue their pursuit of other players

As the Lukaku situation develops, Aston Villa continue to explore other transfer possibilities. The club's scouts were recently spotted watching Feyenoord's Lutsharel Geertruida in action, indicating that their transfer business is not yet concluded.

The logic behind Villa's interest in Lukaku is not entirely clear, but the club's supporters trust in the vision of Emery and Monchi as they shape the squad for the upcoming season.

Lukaku's uncertain future

The Belgian striker's future remains unclear, with Napoli seemingly his preferred destination. However, Aston Villa's willingness to meet Chelsea's financial demands could influence the final decision. The outcome of this transfer saga may ultimately depend on whether Osimhen departs Napoli, as he has been omitted from their squad for the start of the season.

With Aston Villa and Napoli both vying for his signature, the coming weeks will reveal whether the Belgian striker will be leading the line at Villa Park or the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.