Victor Osimhen: Napoli reach agreement with Chelsea for Lukaku but on one condition
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Romelu Lukaku squaring up against Victor Osimhen || Image credit: Imago

Victor Osimhen: Napoli reach agreement with Chelsea for Lukaku but on one condition

Faruq Ibrahim 23:52 - 29.06.2024

Napoli have reportedly reached an agreement in principle with Chelsea for Romelu Lukaku.

Napoli have reportedly reached an agreement with Chelsea in principle for Romelu Lukaku contingent on the future of Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen. 

Lukaku played in Serie A last season at Roma on loan from Chelsea, continuing his stint away from the club despite being on their books, since his fallout with former manager Thomas Tuchel. 

Napoli want Lukaku 

According to a report from Calcio Mercato, Chelsea was to sell him permanently and have slapped a €38 million price tag on him. 

Napoli's new boss, Antonio Conte, is famously a fan of the Belgian striker, and the duo have previously combined to win a Scudetto for Inter. 

Lukaku in action for Belgium || Image credit: Imago
Lukaku in action for Belgium || Image credit: Imago

Asked in a recent interview, Conte expressed that his admiration for Lukaku has now waned and that he would rather have him in his team than set up to play against him. 

Per the aforementioned report, Napoli have indeed made a move for Lukaku and have even reached an agreement in principle with Chelsea for less than the quoted fee, a reported €30 million; however, the deal is said to be reliant on the exit of Victor Osimhen. 

Osimhen's situation 

The Nigerian striker’s desire to leave Naples for greener pastures is a poorly kept secret, and the club handed him a contract with a release clause to facilitate his exit. 

However, the fee for the deal is quoted to be around €130 million. This fee has put off suitors, especially with the striker coming off the back of an underwhelming season ridden by injuries.

Osimhen did not reach the heights of last year but he still did enough to finish in the top three on 2024 PulseSports30 list
Osimhen did not reach the heights of last year but he still did enough to finish in the top three on 2024 PulseSports30 list

A recent report claims that the Napoli leadership is willing to let him leave for a fee less than the release clause, but a deal has yet to be made by any non-Saudi club. 

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