Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is ready to complete his long-awaited move away from the Serie A giants in a deal that promises to unleash Chelsea on the summer transfer market.
The Blues have long been one of the main pretenders to signing Osimhen, yet they have been forced to drop out of the race because of Napoli’s extravagant demands for the Nigeria international striker.
The Serie A giants have been adamant they will not move from the hitman’s €130 million release clause, and while this has also put off Arsenal and Manchester United from making a bid, PSG remain locked in discussions with them.
Osimhen has reportedly agreed personal terms with the Ligue 1 champions. He will sign a five-year deal worth around €14m each season – but only if Les Parisiens can negotiate a discount for the Nigeria forward.
In turn, Chelsea will benefit as Napoli are expected to complete a deal for Romelu Lukaku worth in the region of €25m. This should allow Enzo Maresca’s club to be more active in the transfer market, potentially unleashing them to sign another No.9 to support Nicolas Jackson.
Corriere dello Sport outlines Osimhen’s present situation and the knock-on effect it will have for Chelsea and Lukaku when he finally leaves:
“The negotiations between Napoli and PSG continue. They are in full swing, in the most delicate phase because PSG are in a hurry to start filling the gap created by the free transfer of Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid. Around Europe, it’s difficult to find a centre-forward with the potential and the gift of goals compared to Osimhen.
“Those two clubs are working to reduce the gap of valuations. In Osimhen’s deal, there is the now-famous €130m clause, which is a parameter that Napoli don’t want to stray too far from, but also a wall the French side wants to chip away at. PSG want a discount.
“If Osimhen is sold, Napoli will be able to close the announced move of Romelu Lukaku to Chelsea. It’s a story that’s already written because Rom can’t wait to team up with Antonio Conte again. He’s already training, alone on holiday, to be ready.”
