Chelsea have not offered Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku as a makeweight in a possible deal for Napoli’s Victor Osimhen.
The blues are hoping to sign a new striker during the summer transfer window and they have not shut the door on a move for Osimhen.
But negotiations are yet to take off with Chelsea considering several striker options and assessing their summer budget.
Napoli inserted a release clause worth at least £100m into a new contract which Osimhen signed earlier this year and are still insisting it’s paid in full in order for a sale to occur this summer.
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According to reports in Italy, Chelsea have offered Napoli the chance to acquire Lukaku, who they signed for £97.5m from Inter back in 2021, in order to try and bring that sum down.
But 90minunderstands this has not been the case to date.
The interest in Lukaku stems from new Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna, who has recently joined from Juventus.
Manna tried to sign Lukaku for Juve last summer, leading to Inter backing out, and Lukaku actually ended up joining Roma.
On his part, Lukaku would prefer to stay at Roma once his season-long loan expires at the end of the season, but has not shut the door on another Italian club and is reconsidering Saudi as an option as well.
Chelsea have a verbal clause in place allowing Lukaku to go to any club for £38m but the Giallorossi are expected to try and reach an agreement at a lower price.
Chelsea’s search for a striker is ongoing and they retain a strong interest in Benjamin Sesko, who could leave RB Leipzig this summer. Arsenal and Manchester United also have the Slovenian on their respective shortlists.
Despite struggling with injuries this season, Osimhen has managed to score 15 goals and has three assists in 23 league appearances.
Also, the reigning African Player of the Year has netted 17 goals in 30 games in all competitions in this campaign.
