Chelsea are creating a new plan to sign Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen from Napoli this summer and come out as the victors in one of this summer’s keenly followed transfer sagas.
The future of Napoli’s top scorer last season is yet to be decided as several top clubs, including the Blues, linked with him are yet to make a substantial move to sign him.
Osimhen has been clear about his intention to leave Napoli in this transfer window, but the Serie A giants are holding off on their release clause for the player.
Reports suggest that Osimhen agreed to join Paris Saint-Germain, but the French Ligue 1 giants are not ready to pay Napoli’s asking price for the player.
The Parthenopeans value the Nigerian striker at 120m, a fee none of the clubs showing interest in him are ready to pay.
Chelsea are also in the mix and have devised a new way to sign the Super Eagles star from Napoli before the transfer window closes.
Napoli are reportedly interested in replacing Osimhen with Romelu Lukaku and are open to discussing a deal with the Blues that could involve both players.
The Blues are now planning to use Napoli’s interest in Lukaku to lower the asking price for Osimhen. Enzo Maresca’s side are looking at the Belgian international’s options, plus a reduced transfer fee for the African Footballer of the Year.
According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, talks are ongoing about a move for the Nigerian to Stamford Bridge on a season-long loan with an option to buy, with Lukaku moving the other way to Napoli in a permanent deal.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are also not ruled out of the deal, as the Gunners could go for the Nigerian if they lose Eddie Nketiah this summer. Nketiah has been linked with Olympique Marseille who recently signed Mason Greenwood on a long-term deal from Manchester United.