Napoli open to Victor Osimhen deal with Chelsea including Romelu Lukaku – but must drop asking price


As The Pitch Prospect has learned, Napoli are desperate to sign Romelu Lukaku and are willing to bring in Victor Osimhen as compensation.

Chelsea want to get rid of Lukaku after he was released for a transfer, but have yet to find a club willing to pay the £37m asking price.

Lukaku has long been linked with a departure from Chelsea

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Lukaku has long been linked with a departure from Chelsea.

Napoli are most interested in the Belgian, who could potentially work again with his former coach Antonio Conte.

The two helped Inter Milan to Serie A triumph in 2021 and Conte has made him his top target, but it will depend on whether Osimhen leaves the club or not.

And while the Nigerian international has agreed on personal terms with Paris Saint-Germain, Napoli are ready to use the striker in negotiations for Lukaku.

Napoli want to sign Lukaku as soon as possible and are open to talks about a deal that would see Osimhen go the other way.

Chelsea are looking for a striker but have so far been uninterested in paying Osimhen’s release clause, which is reportedly at £110 million.

However, Napoli’s position seems to have weakened and the price could be drastically reduced if Lukaku is included in the talks.

Although no transfer fee has been discussed, Chelsea would certainly kill two birds with one stone: signing a top striker while losing Lukaku, who earns £325,000 a week.

The downside, however, is that Osimhen may want to move to Stamford Bridge after already agreeing personal terms with PSG, where he could replace Kylian Mbappe as a regular starter after the latter’s move to Real Madrid.

The Nigerian has previously been linked with a transfer to Chelsea and had previously hinted that he was interested in a deal.

Osimhen helped Napoli to Serie A triumph in 2023 with 26 goals in 32 league games.

Osimhen could be on his way to Chelsea, but has already reached an agreement with PSG.

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Osimhen could be on his way to Chelsea, but has already reached an agreement with PSG..
Conte got the best out of Lukaku during his first spell at Inter Milan and the pair could be reunited at Napoli

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Conte got the best out of Lukaku during his first spell at Inter Milan and the pair could be reunited at Napoli.

Last season, the 25-year-old had a more difficult campaign but still managed 17 goals in all competitions as the Blues looked to strengthen their attack.

However, since Chelsea will not be participating in the Champions League, it may not be as attractive a destination as PSG, who have ambitions to win the tournament.

Chelsea have already been active in this summer’s transfer window and have signed six players.

Didier Drogba was spotted hugging Napoli star Victor Osimhen in the tunnel before the Nigeria match at the AFCON

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Renato Veiga, Marc Guiu, Tosin Adarabioyo, Caleb Wiley and Omari Kellyman have all signed with the Blues.

Meanwhile, six players have left the club: Ian Maatsen, Lewis Hall, Omari Hutchinson, Hakim Ziyech, Malang Sarr and Thiago Silva.