Chelsea are not working on a deal to sign Victor Osimhen, and Romelu Lukaku is unlikely to be involved in a swap deal.
Fabrizio Romano has claimed that there are no negotiations taking place between Chelsea and Napoli for Victor Osimhen. He also ruled out a swap deal involving the Nigerian and the out-of-favour Romelu Lukaku, meaning the Blues will look at different striker options in the summer.
No Chelsea move for Victor Osimhen
Chelsea have been looking for a striker since the January transfer window, and there have been credible hopes for them to bring on in the summer window. A host of names have been discussed, especially Victor Osimhen, with the Nigerian openly waiting for the Blues to approach.
The media has been pushing for Osimhen to join Chelsea, as some stories even claimed he wanted to emulate his hero, Didier Drogba, at the club. However, any move involves a lot of money, which in the Nigerian’s case will be about €130 million. This happens to be a release clause Napoli inserted when the striker signed his new deal back in December.
Fabrizio Romano has now confirmed Chelsea are not in the running for the striker and that there are no ongoing negotiations with Napoli about a transfer. He did insist the Blues are still looking for a striker, although unfortunately, it is not going to be Osimhen.
Moreover, there have been reports of a swap deal involving Romelu Lukaku and Osimhen, something Romano has now ruled out. Hence, on a concluding note, Chelsea will have to find a new target as they are not about to splash the money on the Napoli star. However, there is a considerable certainty the Nigerian will leave the dethroned Italian champions.
Chelsea’s striker options
Benjamin Sesko remains a target, although the RB Leipzig star reportedly prefers a move to Arsenal, who are pushing ahead with their move for the Slovenian. There have been other names like Ivan Toney, with the links to the Brentford star likely to resurface in the coming days.
Chelsea are also keeping tabs on Lautaro Martinez, with the Argentine currently enduring differences with Inter Milan about his new contract. Hence, the Blues are not entirely short of options, although some fans will have been deeply disappointed at learning Osimhen will not come to Stamford Bridge.
