Chelsea flop's surprise transfer will trigger Osimhen and Lukaku domino

Tom Weber

• Updated: 10 Jul 2024 17:28 BST
• 4 min read

Alvaro Morata's potential transfer to AC Milan could set off an almighty striker domino, according to Italian media.

Ahead of this summer window, there was plenty of talk of an impending striker merry-go-round. Viktor Gyokeres, Victor Osimhen and Benjamin Sesko were all touted to move on to bigger and better things this window.

However, little has thus far materialised on that front. Sesko has extended his RB Leipzig stay and won't be leaving anytime soon, while clubs have reservations about spending €100 million or more on Gyokeres and Osimhen.

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Nevertheless, the latter is still expected to be on the move this summer. The problem is that he is simply too expensive for most sides. Napoli are not prepared to settle for less than €100m - he has a €130m release clause - but they are desperate to shift his massive wages.

This has led to a veritable impasse and it has also prevented a transfer of Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian wants to reunite with Antonio Conte and the new Napoli boss is also keen on the Chelsea outcast, but the Serie A giants won't make a move unless Osimhen is off the books.

Morata to the rescue?

This deadlock could, however, soon be 'unblocked,' according to Gianluca di Marzio. And the man to solve the problem could be former Chelsea man Alvaro Morata.

The Spain star is being heavily linked with a move to AC Milan following the Rossoneri's decision to end their pursuit of Man Utd-bound Joshua Zirkzee. Morata is said to be their dream target, though a move would still come as a bit of a surprise.

It was previously reported that Morata had decided to stay at Atletico Madrid this summer, but Milan's advances have reportedly piqued his interest.

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Either way, his move to the San Siro could trigger a domino effect, with Atletico Madrid keen on PSG's Randal Kolo Muani. If Morata were to depart, the Spaniards would target the Frenchman as a priority, which would in turn enable PSG to go for Osimhen, having recently reignited their interest in him.

This, then, would lead to Napoli finalising the signing of Romelu Lukaku as a replacement for the Nigerian. Chelsea are desperate to get rid of Lukaku and, despite already signing Marc Guiu and Omari Kellyman, they could even pursue a third new striker once the 31-year-old has been moved on.