Chelsea’s quest for a top-tier striker has taken an intriguing turn with Napoli proposing a part-exchange deal for Victor Osimhen that could significantly reduce the Blues’ cash outlay to just £38.6 million. This development comes as Chelsea’s new manager, Enzo Maresca, looks to strengthen his attacking options for the upcoming season.
The proposed deal structure involves Chelsea sending Romelu Lukaku and Cesare Casadei to Napoli, along with the £38.6m cash payment for Osimhen. This offer emerges in the wake of Chelsea’s recent setback, where a £34.5m deal for Samu Omorodion from Atletico Madrid collapsed due to disagreements over image rights.
Napoli’s interest in this deal is driven by manager Antonio Conte’s desire to reunite with Lukaku. Meanwhile, Chelsea is navigating the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules, making this part-exchange proposal particularly attractive from a financial standpoint.
The potential move aligns with the preferences of the players involved. Casadei is reportedly open to returning to Italy, while Lukaku is willing to take a pay cut to join Napoli. However, Osimhen’s wage demands remain a sticking point, with the Nigerian striker seeking €12m per year, which would place him among Chelsea’s highest earners.
Osimhen has expressed a clear preference for a permanent transfer or, at minimum, a loan with an obligation to buy, rejecting the possibility of a simple loan deal. This stance aligns with Chelsea’s need for a long-term solution to their striking woes.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano suggests that despite previous interest from Paris Saint-Germain and rumored links to Arsenal, Chelsea is currently the only serious contender for Osimhen’s signature.
This complex deal represents a potential solution to several issues for Chelsea. It could secure a world-class forward while offloading players who don’t feature in Maresca’s plans. However, it also highlights the intricate nature of modern football transfers, with multiple moving parts and financial considerations at play.
As the transfer window progresses, the football world will be watching closely to see if Chelsea can navigate these complexities and secure one of Europe’s most sought-after strikers, potentially reshaping their attack for the coming season and beyond.
Credit: football365.com
