NAPLES – Napoli celebrates the birthday of Massimiliano Allegri, who took over as coach of the Azzurri after a career of six Scudetti, five Coppa Italia titles, and three Super Cups. The Livorno-born coach turns 59 in the shadow of Vesuvius, where Romelu Lukaku is stepping away. The Belgian striker, after two seasons and one Scudetto with the Azzurri, was not part of the coaching plans and is moving to Istanbul, where he has already undergone and passed his medical to wear the Fenerbahçe jersey. The Turkish club will pay President De Laurentiis' club €6 million, plus bonuses, which could be around €3 million: €2 million tied to the player's performances and €1 million for a possible title win in Turkey.
The hottest name to replace Lukaku in Napoli's attack remains Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus, whose contract is expiring. The starting valuation is around €20 million, which Napoli are trying to make negotiable. The player's salary, around €8 million net, tied to his previous agreement with Manchester City, is also up for debate.
