Napoli are keen on signing Romelu Lukaku and are prepared to use Victor Osimhen as part of the deal, talkSPORT understands.
Chelsea are looking to offload Lukaku, who is available for transfer, but have yet to find a club willing to meet their £37 million asking price. Napoli, highly interested in the Belgian striker, see a potential reunion with former coach Antonio Conte, who made Lukaku his top target after their Serie A triumph with Inter Milan in 2021.
While Osimhen has already agreed personal terms with Paris Saint-Germain, Napoli are open to including him in negotiations for Lukaku. This could expedite their efforts to sign Lukaku while possibly reducing Osimhen’s hefty £110 million release clause.
No fee has been finalized yet, but Chelsea could benefit by securing a top striker and offloading Lukaku, who earns £325,000 a week. However, Osimhen’s preference could be a hurdle, as he has shown interest in joining PSG, where he might replace Kylian Mbappe following his move to Real Madrid.
Despite previously hinting at interest in a Chelsea transfer, Osimhen’s choice might lean towards PSG, especially given their Champions League ambitions compared to Chelsea’s lack of participation.
Osimhen, who led Napoli to Serie A glory in 2023 with 26 goals in 32 league appearances, had a challenging last season with 17 goals in all competitions. Chelsea, aiming to strengthen their attack, have been active in the transfer market this summer, signing six players including Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Renato Veiga, Marc Guiu, Tosin Adarabioyo, Caleb Wiley, and Omari Kellyman. Concurrently, six players have left the club: Ian Maatsen, Lewis Hall, Omari Hutchinson, Hakim Ziyech, Malang Sarr, and Thiago Silva.
