Chelsea in talks with Napoli over Victor Osimhen on loan, with Romelu Lukaku set to join Serie A club
Chelsea are in talks with Napoli over a season-long loan deal for Victor Osimhen, talkSPORT understands.
The two clubs are in talks with Osimhen and Romelu Lukaku, who is expected to go in the opposite direction.
Chelsea They want to get rid of Lukaku after making him available for transfer, but have yet to find a club willing to match their £37m asking price.
Naples They are the most interested in the Belgian, who could be reunited with his former coach Antonio Conte.
The two helped Inter de Milan to Serie A glory in 2021 and Conte has made that his main target, but it will depend on whether Osimhen leaves the club or not.
Lukaku has already agreed to a pay cut and a three-year contract to move to Napoli.
Chelsea are in the market for a striker but have no intention of paying Osimhen's release clause, which is reported to be £110m.
The two clubs are now in talks over a loan deal that includes an option to buy.
Napoli would prefer any loan option to have an obligation that could also be triggered depending on Chelsea's qualification for the Champions League.
While no fee has yet been discussed, it would certainly help Chelsea kill two birds with one stone in terms of landing a top striker and losing Lukaku, who earns £325,000 per week.
However, one hurdle in the way is whether Osimhen wants to move to Stamford Bridge, having already agreed personal terms with PSG, where he could replace Kylian Mbappé as the main man after the latter's move to real Madrid.
The Nigerian has previously been linked with a transfer to Chelsea and has previously hinted at who would be interested in reaching an agreement.
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Osimhen helped Napoli to Serie A glory in 2023 with 26 goals in 32 league appearances.
The 25-year-old endured a more difficult campaign last season but still managed to score 17 goals in all competitions and the Blues are keen to bolster their attack.
However, without the Champions League, Chelsea may not be as attractive a destination as PSG, who harbour ambitions of winning the tournament.
Chelsea have already been active in this summer's transfer window, making six signings.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Renato Veiga, Marc Guiu, Tosin Adarabioyo, Caleb Wiley and Omari Kellyman have signed for the Blues.
Meanwhile, six players have also left the club: Ian Maatsen, Lewis Hall, Omari Hutchinson, Hakim Ziyech, Malang Sarr and Thiago Silva.
