According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Premier League side Chelsea have opened talks with Napoli over a possible cash-plus-player deal for centre-forward Victor Osimhen.
The Blues have a long-standing interest in the Nigerian international and in their latest move, Chelsea are planning to offer Romelu Lukaku plus one young player and also around around €80-90 million for Osimhen.
Romelu Lukaku is currently out on loan with AS Roma and even though he has scored 12 goals in 30 Serie A appearances this season, he has no future at Chelsea. Pochettino is more than willing to cash in on the 30-year-old and instead of sending him out to the Saudi Pro League, the Blues’ management is planning to use him as a counter-weight in the Victor Osimhen deal.
Should Chelsea be offering €90 million plus two players for Victor Osimhen?
Osimhen’s new contract has a €130 million release clause and Napoli have no intentions of negotiating on this number. Obviously, Chelsea are not ready to pay such a steep price in outright cash which is why they are planning this new arrangement.
Napoli are a club that wanted to sign Romelu Lukaku last year and Chelsea are hoping their interest in the 30-year-old is still alive. The Belgian forward is valued at only €30 million while an academy graduate will be worth another €15 million so in total, the EPL side are ready to pay Osimhen’s full release clause.
Victor Osimhen had netted 31 goals in 39 games in the 22/23 season and he was a driving factor in helping Napoli lift the Serie A side but he’s seen a slight dip in form this time around. Even though he has an xG of 14.75, the forward has managed to score only 16 goals in 29 appearances across all competitions.
Paying €130 million for the 25-year-old is a slight gamble but his current market value is €115 million and Chelsea need someone who can have an instant impact. Even though Nicolas Jackson has scored 13 league goals this season, he’s missed far more important goals and watching him in the final third has been a struggle for the Blues fans.
Victor Osimhen is ready to move to Chelsea because he’s already been in talks with the London outfit but it remains to be seen if Romelu Lukaku is willing to play for Napoli or not. Lukaku knows he will have to move to a new club in the summer but will he choose to remain the Serie A or will he opt for a move to the Saudi Pro League?
