Victor Osimhen: Chelsea finally find perfect way to land Super Eagles striker

Victor Osimhen: Chelsea finally find perfect way to land Super Eagles striker

Ifeanyi Ufomadu 09:58 - 30.07.2024

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen is reportedly closing in on a move to Chelsea as Romelu Lukaku moves closer to joining Antonio Conte at Napoli.

Napoli are open to negotiating a loan deal that would send Victor Osimhen to Chelsea for the upcoming season, with Romelu Lukaku joining the Italian club on a permanent transfer.

Chelsea have long been admirers of Osimhen's talents, but have no desire to trigger his release clause, believed to be around €130m.

Osimhen close to joining Chelsea in swap deal

This proposed swap deal could benefit both parties, as Napoli are eager to sign Lukaku and reunite him with their new head coach, Antonio Conte, who he previously worked with at Inter.

Romelu Lukaku is seen as the perfect Victor Osimhen replacement.
Romelu Lukaku is seen as the perfect Victor Osimhen replacement.
Victor Osimhen
Napoli striker Victor Osimhen | IMAGO PSG have reportedly renewed their Victor Osimhen interest (Credit: Imago)

Lukaku, 31, spent last season on loan at Roma, scoring 21 goals in 47 appearances. However, his most prolific period came under Conte's guidance at Inter, where he netted 34 and 30 goals in consecutive seasons.

Napoli, meanwhile, are willing to part with Osimhen, who has scored 76 goals in 133 appearances since joining from Lille in 2020.

Although he scored 15 goals last season, his impact was more significant the previous year, contributing 26 goals as Napoli won their first Scudetto since 1990.

The Athletic reports that the deal would be a season-long loan with a buy option.

Osimhen was reportedly closer to joining French giants Paris Saint-Germain but the Ligue 1 side refused to trigger the clause and have reportedly walked away from the deal.

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