Chelsea are in advanced negotiations with Napoli over a potential season-long loan deal for Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, according to talkSPORT. The discussions also involve Romelu Lukaku, who is expected to head in the opposite direction.
Chelsea are in the market for a striker but have no intention of paying Osimhen‘s £110 million release clause. Instead, the two clubs are negotiating a loan deal with an option to buy.
Napoli would prefer an obligation to buy based on Chelsea’s qualification for the Champions League.
The London club has been determined to find a buyer for Lukaku after a disappointing second spell at Stamford Bridge. While the Belgian forward is keen on a return to Italy and has agreed personal terms with Napoli, a permanent deal has been hindered by Chelsea’s high valuation of £37 million. Lukaku currently earns £325,000 a week.
” Chelsea have inaugurated a new policy on wages and Victor Osimhen’s salary breaks through the salary cap. The London club are also thinking about a loan exchange, considering that both players have contracts expiring in 2026.” as quoted by Corriere dello Sport.
A loan move for Osimhen, coupled with Lukaku’s departure, presents an opportunity for Chelsea to address their attacking woes while generating significant savings on wages. The Nigerian international has emerged as one of Europe’s most coveted strikers following his impressive performances for Napoli, where he clinched the Serie A title last season.
One potential issue is whether Osimhen wants to move to Stamford Bridge, as he has already agreed personal terms with PSG, where he could replace Kylian Mbappe following his move to Real Madrid. The Nigerian striker has previously hinted at an interest in joining Chelsea.
However, the deal is far from finalized, with Osimhen reportedly having agreed personal terms with PSG. The French giants are eager to replace Kylian Mbappe and view the Nigerian as the ideal candidate.
After joining Napoli in 2020 following a successful stint at Lille, the Nigerian striker has proven his prowess with 65 goals in just 108 Serie A games for Gli Azzurri.
His remarkable 31-goal haul in just 39 games during the 2022/23 season was instrumental in Napoli clinching the Scudetto for the first time in 33 years. While Napoli would be reluctant to part with their star striker, a permanent deal for Romelu Lukaku could be beneficial for both clubs, especially after Chelsea’s disappointing 10th-place finish in the league last season.
Ultimately, the success of these negotiations will depend on several factors, including Osimhen’s preference, Napoli’s valuation of Lukaku, and Chelsea’s ability to meet the demands of both clubs.
