(Football news) In the most recent transfer windows, co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital encountered obstacles in their attempts to sign Osimhen.
Napoli is unwilling to take a price lower than, at most, £80 million for the Nigerian international, who was a key component of their 2022–2023 Serie A title-winning campaign.
Osimhen signed a new deal in December, and it contained a release clause worth about £110 million, which protected Napoli during a period when they were having trouble making it into the Champions League for the next season.
Paris Saint-Germain recently found out that, despite missing out on European football for 2024–25, rumors have continued to circulate that Aurelio De Laurentiis, the president of Napoli, is unwilling to let the 25-year-old go for less than that amount.
However, in recent days, it has emerged that there is a willingness to entertain some kind of a swap deal with Chelsea that includes Lukaku, the preferred alternative for Osimhen.
Transfer saga takes surprise turn
Antonio Conte – a former coach of Lukaku’s – is now in charge of Napoli and has specifically identified the former Inter Milan star as the player that he wants to use down the centre of his attack should Osimhen leave Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Up until now, that has only seemed plausible if PSG, Chelsea or another team opt to pay one of the biggest transfer fees in history.
Instead, Napoli are now willing to entertain a season-long loan exit for their star man. De Laurentiis is allegedly prepared to allow Osimhen to move to Stamford Bridge for one season, with Chelsea possessing the option to sign him on a permanent basis.
The report does not specify whether the clause would be optional or mandatory, yet it is clear that Chelsea would be expected to pay a considerable loan fee should such an arrangement materialise.
Unlike what has occurred with Inter and Roma over the past two seasons, Ornstein adds that Lukaku would move in the opposite direction on a permanent basis.
A deal that suits all parties?
Chelsea would be the clear beneficiaries if they can successfully negotiate terms with Napoli to such an extent that the deal, on the face of it, appears too good to be true.
Getting Lukaku and his wages off their outgoings is the priority, but getting long-term target Osimhen through the door to take the lead role in Enzo Maresca’s attack would be the cherry on top of the cake.
There remains potential stumbling blocks, though. It remains to be seen what Chelsea would be expected to pay in 2025, while Osimhen is currently only on a contract with Napoli until 2026.
De Laurentiis will want to do everything to protect Napoli’s position to the extent where it may theoretically take another contract extension from Osimhen to seal the deal, unless Chelsea are obligated to pay a mammoth fee next July.
Also read: Arsenal goalkeeper on the verge on joining EPL side on loan
