Chelsea in Talks for Osimhen-Lukaku Swap Deal

Chelsea FC is reportedly nearing a £39 million swap deal for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, as the club continues its aggressive summer transfer campaign. Having already invested nearly £200 million on 12 new players, including the recent acquisition of Pedro Neto for £54 million, Chelsea is looking to bolster its attacking options. The proposed deal would involve out-of-favor striker Romelu Lukaku, who has struggled since his return to Stamford Bridge in 2021, and young midfielder Cesare Casadei. Napoli's sporting director, Giovanni Manna, is currently in London to negotiate the potential transfer. Osimhen, who has expressed a desire to leave Napoli after being omitted from the Coppa Italia squad, is seen as a primary target for Chelsea with the summer transfer window closing in just over two weeks. The Nigerian striker has a release clause of £111 million in his contract, which poses a significant financial challenge for Chelsea, especially in terms of salary negotiations. Despite Chelsea's interest, Paris Saint-Germain is also reportedly eyeing Osimhen as a replacement for Kylian Mbappe, who recently joined Real Madrid. Napoli, having invested over £65 million in Osimhen in 2020, is now open to a sale, especially as they seek to finalize a deal for Lukaku. The potential swap could see both clubs benefit, with Napoli looking to offload their £90 million-rated forward while acquiring Lukaku in return. Former Chelsea player John Obi Mikel has endorsed Osimhen's move to the Premier League, emphasizing the striker's potential to fill a crucial gap in Chelsea's lineup. As negotiations progress, Chelsea fans remain hopeful that Osimhen will soon don the club's colors, marking a significant addition to their squad.