Italian football transfer expert Pier Francesco Monachino has asserted that Napoli, the Serie A giants, are unlikely to entertain Chelsea’s recent proposal involving a swap deal for Victor Osimhen. According to reports from Umpire Sports, Chelsea offered Romelu Lukaku and Cesare Casadei plus a substantial cash amount, rumored to be around €30 million, in exchange for the Nigerian striker.
Osimhen, who signed a contract extension with Napoli until 2026, reportedly has a release clause of approximately £113 million. Despite this, several top European clubs, including Chelsea, Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, and Liverpool, have shown interest in acquiring him.
Napoli’s president Aurelio de Laurentiis initially insisted on a nine-figure sum for Osimhen’s departure. However, recent reports indicate that Napoli may be willing to consider offers of around €100 million (£84.7 million) for the striker. This adjustment in Napoli’s stance has reportedly piqued Chelsea’s interest, prompting them to consider including players in addition to cash to secure Osimhen’s transfer.
Monachino in a report emphasized Napoli’s reluctance to pursue Lukaku without first resolving Osimhen’s situation. He highlighted Napoli’s financial considerations and noted that while Osimhen has expressed a preference to stay in Europe despite interest from Saudi Arabia, Napoli remains firm on their valuation.
Regarding Lukaku, Chelsea’s valuation reportedly exceeds €40 million, with AC Milan also expressing interest in the Belgian forward.
Osimhen joined Napoli from Lille in 2020 for a club-record fee of €70 million plus bonuses, contributing significantly to Napoli’s successes, including their recent Serie A title. Despite a challenging 2023/24 season for Napoli, Osimhen maintained impressive form, scoring 15 goals and providing three assists in 25 league appearances.
As negotiations continue, the football world eagerly awaits the resolution of Osimhen’s future, with Chelsea and Napoli navigating complex transfer dynamics in the competitive European market.
