Chelsea deal at 'advanced stage' as club send clear Victor Osimhen message to Napoli

Chelsea are reportedly in advanced talks with Napoli over Romelu Lukaku’s future as the Blues also hunt a deal for Victor Osimhen. Lukaku is widely expected to join the Italian club in a switch that could pave the way for Osimhen to complete a move to Chelsea before the transfer window slams shut on August 30.

Enzo Maresca needs an elite forward and Osimhen has reportedly been identified as a potential target. The 25-year-old fired Napoli to the Serie A title with 31 goals in 2022-23 and scored 17 more last term despite the Naples outfit enduring a woeful defence of their crown last term.

Chelsea outcast Lukaku could head in the opposite direction in a separate deal. The Belgian forward has spent the last two seasons on loan in Italy and could be reunited with Antonio Conte, who he shone under during a spell with Inter Milan.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Blues are in advanced talks with Napoli over the fee for Lukaku. The 31-year-old finally seems set to end his three-year second spell at Stamford Bridge, having been a £97.5m arrival from Inter in 2021.

It is also claimed that Chelsea have made their interest in Osimhen clear to Napoli. However, those discussions are in a much earlier stage than the deal involving Lukaku’s switch to Italy.

Chelsea were initially linked with a loan move for Osimhen in an agreement that would include an option to buy the Nigeria international next summer. The report states that the Blues need to clarify Osimhen’s stance as the player is adamant that he will only leave Napoli if he is offered a permanent departure.

Osimhen earns around £9million per year at Napoli and is reportedly insistent that he will not take a wage cut to move to the Premier League. Chelsea will reportedly hold talks with the prolific former Lille and Wolfsburg attacker to make sure he wants to join.

The west Londoners have enjoyed yet another transfer window of major spending, although they have recouped a little under £100m of their £170m spend through the sales of Ian Maatsen, Lewis Hall and Omari Hutchinson. Lukaku’s impending exit will strengthen Chelsea’s ability to spend more money on new signings.

Meanwhile, Maresca is making his final preparations ahead of Chelsea’s crunch Premier League clash with Manchester City on Sunday. The Italian, who was plucked from newly-promoted Leicester, has been given a tough first competitive match against his former mentor Pep Guardiola.