Kevin De Bruyne has signed for Napoli as a free agent after being released by Manchester City, the Serie A champions' president Aurelio De Laurentiis confirmed on Thursday.
A 2–0 victory over Cagliari in the final round ensured they stayed ahead of Inter Milan, sending the Campania region into rapturous celebration.
Antonio Conte has dragged Napoli back from disaster and restored them to the top of Serie A but his future at the Scudetto winners is in doubt even after a triumphant season.
With second-placed Inter Milan also playing out a 2-2 draw against Lazio in a simultaneous kickoff, Napoli will head into their final match against Cagliari with a one-point advantage.
Antonio Conte's team are one step closer to a second league title in three seasons thanks to Giacomo Raspadori's well-struck free-kick in the 24th minute of a match which was briefly stopped by home fans' fiery protest against the league following the death of a beloved club physi
Two first-half goals from Scott McTominay helped Napoli to a 2-0 home success, sending them above defending champions Inter Milan in the standings after Simone Inzaghi's side stumbled to a shock 1-0 home loss against AS Roma.
Scotland midfielder McTominay nodded home his 10th goal in all competitions this season from Giacomo Raspadori's cross in the 72nd minute to save Napoli's blushes after a drab display in northern Italy.
Belgium striker Lukaku has scored 12 times and set up 10 more in Italy's top flight this season and has been key to Napoli's battle with reigning champions Inter for the league title.
The win moved Napoli three points behind leaders Inter Milan, who beat Udinese 2-1, while third-placed Atalanta lost 1-0 at Fiorentina.
Belgium striker Lukaku completed a permanent move to Napoli from Chelsea on Thursday, ending a long period of limbo with the Blues.
The futures of Napoli striker Victor Osimhen and England international Ivan Toney are set to dominate the final day of the European transfer window on Friday as Chelsea continue their frenzied pursuit of new signings.
Napoli manager Antonio Conte apologised to the club's fans after his side were humbled 3-0 at Hellas Verona in Serie A on Sunday and said he took responsibility for the loss.
Napoli insisted on Monday Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is not for sale as the star Georgian winger's agent pushes for a move away from the Serie A club, reportedly to Paris Saint-Germain.
Former Chelsea and Tottenham coach Antonio Conte was hired by Napoli on Wednesday as the deposed Serie A champions try to bounce back from their disastrous league title defence.
Empoli, who are battling relegation, opened the scoring after four minutes when striker Alberto Cerri headed in a close-range cross for what proved to be the winner.
"We're not mathematically out of it but the chances of us getting there are very slim," said Calzona after his first league defeat as Napoli boss
Italian club Napoli said they were "stunned" after Italy's football federation (FIGC) on Tuesday dropped a probe into alleged racist comments made by Inter Milan's Francesco Acerbi to Napoli's Juan Jesus due to lack of evidence.
Barcelona came flying out of the blocks with goals from Fermin Lopez and Joao Cancelo but after Amir Rrahmani pulled one back, the Catalans started to sweat.
Nigeria forward Osimhen rolled home the leveller with 15 minutes left of the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, in his first match since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations.
