By Chinasaokwu Helen okoro
Napoli are reportedly ready to engage in talks with Chelsea over a player-plus-cash deal for Victor Osimhen this summer, as the Italian club seek solutions for the Nigerian striker’s situation.
The Blues have been on a spending spree this summer, with Enzo Maresca overseeing a significant squad overhaul at Stamford Bridge.
New signings include Tosin Adarabioyo, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and Renato Veiga, alongside promising youngsters Omari Kellyman, Caleb Wiley, and Marc Guiu. Brazilian wonderkid Estevao is also set to join from Palmeiras next year.
Despite these acquisitions, Chelsea are still in the market for attacking reinforcements. While Aston Villa’s John Dhuran and Lille’s Jonathan David have been linked with moves, a potential deal for long-time target Osimhen may now be on the cards.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Napoli are “looking for solutions” regarding Osimhen, aware of his desire to leave. The Italian club are also keen on bringing in Romelu Lukaku, which could pave the way for a swap deal.
Napoli would expect a fee in addition to Lukaku, given Osimhen’s £110m price tag, and it remains to be seen if Chelsea are willing to explore this option.
Osimhen has made no secret of his desire to leave Naples and has already approved a move to Paris Saint-Germain. However, negotiations between Napoli and the Ligue 1 side have stalled due to disagreements over the transfer fee.
The Nigeria striker is reportedly free to leave Napoli, where new manager Antonio Conte has made it clear that he is not part of his plans, with the Italian eager to bring in Lukaku as a replacement and wants the situation resolved quickly.
As a result, the Nigeria international was notably absent from Napoli’s bench for their 4-0 pre-season friendly win over Egnatia on Sunday evening. Romano highlighted this exclusion on social media platform X, mentioning PSG and Chelsea as potential destinations for Osimhen but also noting that Arsenal could make a late bid.
Chelsea may look to capitalise on this impasse to address their goalscoring issues, which have been made more glaring during the pre-season after they drew with League One side Wrexham FC and also lost to Celtic.
However, Osimhen’s wage demands could pose a challenge, as the Blues have been cautious about offering lucrative contracts this summer.
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