Chelsea could potentially solve two transfer dilemmas in one with a proposed deal involving Victor Osimhen and Romelu Lukaku. The Blues have been in discussions with Napoli regarding the acquisition of Osimhen, who has expressed his desire to leave this summer. In order to facilitate the deal, Napoli may be open to accepting Lukaku as part of the agreement.
According to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Chelsea and Napoli could reach an agreement by offering cash and Lukaku in exchange for Osimhen. However, there is a discrepancy between the two clubs in their valuation of Lukaku. Chelsea is seeking a minimum of £40m for the Belgian striker, who still has two years remaining on his contract. Napoli, on the other hand, values Lukaku at around £30m while valuing Osimhen at approximately £100m.
Chelsea is reluctant to pay Osimhen’s £110m release clause and has previously explored the possibility of a loan deal for the striker, which was unsuccessful. Lukaku, at 31 years old, is currently earning £325,000 per week at Chelsea but has made it clear that he only wishes to be reunited with former manager Antonio Conte.
Lukaku had a successful stint under Conte at Inter Milan, scoring 47 league goals over two seasons and helping the club secure their first Serie A title in 11 years in the 2020-21 season. Chelsea reacquired Lukaku for £97.5m in 2021 but a public dispute led to an unhappy season, after which he spent two seasons on loan in Serie A.
Meanwhile, Osimhen, 25, has attracted interest from Paris Saint-Germain and clubs in Saudi Arabia this summer. He made a significant impact at Napoli, scoring 26 goals in 32 league games to help the club win Serie A two seasons ago. However, under Conte’s management, Osimhen has been excluded from pre-season friendlies, indicating the manager’s firm stance on the player’s future.
In addition to Lukaku, Chelsea has listed Armando Broja and Trevoh Chalobah for transfer and has instructed them to train with the under-21s at Cobham. This suggests that the club is actively looking to offload these players as well.
Overall, this potential deal between Chelsea, Napoli, and the players involved could be a win-win situation for all parties. Chelsea would secure the signing of Osimhen, Napoli would acquire Lukaku, and the players themselves would have the opportunity for a fresh start at new clubs. However, there are still negotiations to be made regarding the valuation of Lukaku, which may prove to be a sticking point in the deal.