Romelu Lukaku agrees Chelsea exit but Victor Osimhen demand delays transfer

Lukaku is a step closer to leaving Stamford Bridge.

Jul 20, 2024 - 12:00
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Romelu Lukaku agrees Chelsea exit but Victor Osimhen demand delays transfer
Romelu Lukaku of Belgium in action during the UEFA EURO 2024 round of 16 match between France and Belgium
Romelu Lukaku is a step closer to joining Napoli (Anadolu via Getty)

Napoli have agreed personal terms with Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku, according to reports in Italy.

Chelsea are looking to offload the 31-year-old on a permanent deal this summer after allowing him to join Roma on loan last season.

Antonio Conte has made the signing of Lukaku one of his top priorities following his arrival at Napoli last month and the former Chelsea manager is a step closer to securing one of his key transfer targets.

According to Sky Sports Italy, Lukaku has agreed a three-year contract with Napoli worth around £97,000 a week before performance-related bonuses.

Chelsea are demanding a £30 million fee plus add-ons for the Belgium international but Napoli cannot complete a deal until Victor Osimhen is sold.

Paris Saint-Germain have held extensive talks with Napoli for Osimhen but the Serie A club are reluctant to accept a fee that’s lower than his €130m (£110.8m) clause – a demand which has put off both Chelsea and Arsenal.

Victor Osimhen of Napoli during day 3 of preseason training camp of SSC Napoli in Dimaro, Trento, Italy
Victor Osimhen is back in pre-season training with Napoli (Shutterstock)

The French champions are said to be exploring the possibility of offering €100m (£84.3m) plus a player as part of their bid.

Osimhen’s agent, Roberto Calenda, travelled to Paris earlier this week in order to speed up negotiations.

Speaking this week, Conte insisted that he had no issue with Osimhen’s transfer delaying Napoli’s summer arrivals.

‘The situation was already very clear,’ Conte told Rai Sport.

‘I was aware of it. It’s all going as planned. To me, it’s not a surprise to wait. We face every situation in the right way

‘As I said, first, we re-aligned, now we evaluate, and then there will be sales and new signings. The vision is very clear. There will be no problems.’

CHELSEA SUMMER SIGNINGS 2024

Tosin Adarabioyo (from Fulham, free transfer)

Marc Guiu (Barcelona, £5m)

Omari Kellyman (Aston Villa, £19m)

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (Leicester City, £30m)

Renato Veiga (FC Basel, £12m)

Lukaku, meanwhile, made it clear in an interview with RTL last month that he would be open to joining Napoli and being reunited with Conte after they won the Serie A title together at Inter three years ago.

‘I’ve already figured it out in my head. I know what will happen,’ Lukaku said.

‘A lot of people like to talk, maybe because I don’t have a real estate agent. But I’m going to decide. I am in control of my situation.

‘I’m going to make a choice and once I explain it, everyone will agree with me.

‘Look, every time I decided to stay or leave somewhere, certain factors – for example my relationship with the coach – turned out to be the right choice.

‘It’s like having a relationship with a woman. If we don’t click anymore, why stay together?’

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