Chelsea are willing to offer Romelu Lukaku plus around €80-90 million in cash for top striker target Victor Osimhen.
According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Chelsea are hoping to negotiate a deal with Napoli for Victor Osimhen and have initiated contracts over a part-exchange deal. The Blues are reportedly willing to offer Romelu Lukaku plus around €80-90 million in cash to tempt the Partenopei into a sale.
Romelu Lukaku plus cash for Victor Osimhen?
Ahead of the summer transfer window, a big race is brewing in the background for Victor Osimhen. Chelsea have been in the running since January and may have even wanted to prise him away then, only for the Nigerian international to sign a new deal with a mammoth €130 million release clause, which Napoli are unwilling to negotiate.
Hence, there is the long-standing idea that Napoli will want the entire release clause to sell Osimhen, although they are open to negotiating payment terms if required. Chelsea have been talking to Napoli to figure out those terms. But now, they have contacted the Serie A giants over a potential part-exchange deal.
Chelsea are willing to offer €80-90 million plus Romelu Lukaku alongside a young player to tempt Napoli into selling Osimhen. There is a big reason for this, considering current Napoli director Giovanni Manna wanted the Belgian outcast, who has 19 goals this season, last summer when he was still at Juventus.
He might want the striker to join Napoli in the summer and might give heed to Chelsea’s part-exchange proposal, which will make sense from a financial standpoint. However, several clubs, including PSG, are keen on Osimhen. Even some from the Premier League are interested, which will force Chelsea to push with their offer ahead of the summer.
Will Lukaku join Napoli?
Any success in such a part-exchange proposal will depend on the two strikers involved and their will to join either side. While there is plenty of optimism with Osimhen, there are doubts about Lukaku, who reportedly wants to stay put at AS Roma following a successful season on loan there.
Chelsea are also exploring a Saudi Pro League move for Lukaku, although they might move on from the idea and look to bring Osimhen should the out-of-favour attacker agree to join Napoli.
