The latest report from The Guardian indicates that Napoli are open to a swap deal involving Victor Osimhen and Romelu Lukaku.
Romelu Lukaku is expected to return to Chelsea’s Cobham training base this week, having been on loan at Inter Milan and Roma over the past two seasons. It is understood that he will train with those players who did not travel for the club’s US tour, including defender Trevoh Chalobah, who has been allowed to move on.
Lukaku rejoined Chelsea in 2021 for a club-record fee of £97.5 million and still has two years left on his contract. Reports suggest that he has agreed to a three-year deal with Napoli. However, Chelsea are said to be seeking around £30 million and are still in negotiations with Napoli, who need to sell Osimhen to fund their own transfer market moves.
Paris Saint-Germain had been considered the frontrunners to sign Osimhen, but talks with Napoli have stalled. Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis has set an approximate €130 million release clause for Osimhen. Osimhen has been training separately from Antonio Conte’s squad and has yet to feature in pre-season games.
Chelsea have long been interested in Osimhen, who helped Napoli end a 33-year wait to become Serie A champions in 2023. Chelsea sources previously stated they were unwilling to pay his release clause, planning instead to discuss using Lukaku as part of the transfer fee. Napoli are seriously considering this proposal.