Napoli is reportedly open to including Romelu Lukaku in discussions with Chelsea over Victor Osimhen. The Serie A club is eager to finalize a move for the Belgium striker, who has spent two seasons on loan at Inter and Roma.
Lukaku, 31, is set to return for training at Chelsea’s base in Cobham this week. He will train alongside squad members who have not travelled for the club’s US tour, including defender Trevoh Chalobah. Chalobah has been made available for transfer.
Lukaku re-signed with Chelsea in 2021 for a record £97.5m and still has two years left on his contract. Reports suggest he has agreed on a three-year deal with Napoli. However, negotiations are ongoing as Chelsea holds out for about £30m.
PSG's stalled chase of Osimhen
Paris Saint-Germain was considered the frontrunner to sign Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen from Napoli but talks appear stalled now. Aurelio De Laurentiis, Napoli president, set a release clause of about €130m (£110m) for Osimhen.
Osimhen has been training separately from Antonio Conte’s squad and hasn't featured in their pre-season games yet.
Chelsea maintains an interest in 25-year-old Osimhen after he helped Napoli end their 33-year wait to become Italian champions back in 2023. Although they have previously indicated unwillingness towards paying his release clause, offloading Romelu Lukaku could potentially finance a move for him.
Busy summer for Blues
In other news related to transfers at Stamford Bridge, Filip Jorgensen seems close to joining the Blues after agreeing on a €24m (£20.2m) fee with Villarreal. The 22-year-old goalkeeper's arrival casts doubt over the future of back-up Djordje Petrovic.
Aaron Anselmino, a 19-year-old defender, is expected to sign a six-year contract at Chelsea and be loaned back to Boca Juniors.
Chalobah captained Chelsea’s development side in a friendly against Boreham Wood recently. However, his omission from the tour has sparked interest from Premier League clubs and abroad. It seems like there are significant changes brewing at Stamford Bridge as they look to strengthen their squad for the upcoming season.
