Copy in clipboard...
Napoli open to Osimhen deal with Chelsea in push to land Lukaku
Lukaku is due to return to training at Chelsea’s base in Cobham this week having spent two seasons on loan at Inter and Roma.
Lukaku has two years of his contract remaining after re-signing for a club record £97.5m in 2021 and has reportedly agreed a three-year deal with Napoli. However, Chelsea are believed to be holding out for about £30m and remain in negotiations with the Italian club, who must sell Osimhen to fund moves in the market.
Paris Saint-Germain had been considered the frontrunners to sign the Nigeria striker but talks with Napoli are believed to have stalled. Napoli’s president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, has set a release clause of about €130m (£110m) for Osimhen, who has been training separately from the rest of Antonio Conte’s squad and is yet to feature in their pre-season games.
Chelsea have a longstanding interest in the 25-year-old after he helped Napoli end their 33-year wait to become Italian champions in 2023. Club sources have previously indicated they would not be willing to pay his release clause, but the opportunity to offload Lukaku from their wage bill could potentially help finance a move for Osimhen.