Chelsea interested in Napoli's Osimhen with Lukaku heading other way



Chelsea are interested in signing Victor Osimhen from Napoli as negotiations continue over Romelu Lukaku heading in the opposite direction.

The size of the numbers involved had put Chelsea off signing Osimhen earlier in the window, but a potential deal could be revived as the clubs continue discussions over Lukaku going to the Serie A side.

The Belgium international's exit would free up a sizeable amount of money on Chelsea's wage bill, although a deal for Osimhen is still difficult to do but has not been ruled out.

Discussions have centred on Lukaku going on a permanent deal to Napoli, while Osimhen moving to Chelsea either permanently or on an initial loan with an obligation to buy have both been discussed.

The latter currently looks a more realistic option as far as Chelsea are concerned.

However, Osimhen's agent Roberto Calenda has been quoted on social media in the last few hours as saying a simple player exchange is "fantasy... as if he was a player to be delivered quickly."

Napoli are willing to do a deal for the Nigeria international after he signed a new contract in December that included a significant pay rise and a release clause worth more than £100m.

Napoli cannot afford a scenario where they buy Lukaku and still have the prospect of Osimhen returning after a loan.

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