Chelsea has reached agreement to give Napoli Thier Star Player in Exchange of Victor Osimhen and £50 million

Napoli has reportedly reached a preliminary agreement with Chelsea for the transfer of Romelu Lukaku. This potential deal, however, hinges on the future of Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen, who currently plays for Napoli.

Lukaku has spent much of his career away from Chelsea, despite being on their roster. His strained relationship with former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel led to his loan to Serie A club Roma. Now, Napoli has expressed a strong interest in acquiring Lukaku.

According to Calcio Mercato, Chelsea is looking to offload Lukaku permanently, setting an asking price of €38 million. The new Napoli manager, Antonio Conte, has a well-documented admiration for the Belgian striker. Conte and Lukaku previously worked together at Inter Milan, where they won the Serie A title.

In a recent interview, Conte disclosed that his respect for Lukaku has only grown over time. He stated he would prefer to have Lukaku on his team rather than face him as an opponent.

The source also indicates that Napoli has made significant progress in negotiations with Chelsea, reaching a tentative agreement for a fee slightly below €30 million. However, the completion of this transfer depends on whether Victor Osimhen leaves the club.

Victor Osimhen’s situation remains a key factor. The Nigerian striker has expressed a desire to move on to greater opportunities, a sentiment well-known in football circles. Napoli included a release clause in his contract to facilitate a possible transfer.

However, Osimhen’s release clause is set at approximately €130 million, a price that has deterred potential buyers, especially given his recent struggles with injuries. Despite the high demand for talented forwards, this hefty price tag, coupled with his inconsistent performance due to injuries, has made clubs hesitant to meet Napoli’s valuation.