Chelsea Transfer News Today: Lukaku BID, Sterling CRITICISED, Osimhen MESSAGE

19 Aug 2024 12:30 BST
5 min read

Romelu Lukaku, Antonio Conte, Chelsea — © IMAGO

FootballTransfers runs through the latest Chelsea football transfer news updates, including the latest on Romelu Lukaku, Raheem Sterling and Victor Osimhen.

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Romelu Lukaku bid

Napoli have submitted an official bid for Chelsea forward Romelu Lukaku, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Belgium international has been frozen out of the first-team picture at Stamford Bridge and he is expected to leave the club on a permanent deal after spending the past two seasons out on loan.

Romanoposted on X: “Understand Romelu Lukaku and Napoli are getting closer. Official bid on the table.

“Club to club talks now into key stages as Chelsea decision is clear: Lukaku and Osimhen, SEPARATE topics.

“Full focus on selling Lukaku, then Osimhen story eventually for final days.”

Lukaku scored 21 goals and provided four assists on loan at AS Roma last season, but he is currently training away from the Chelsea first-team, along with Conor Gallagher and Trevoh Chalobah, as the club look to sort out his future.

READ MORE: Chelsea Transfer News LIVE

Raheem Sterling criticised

Chelsea attacker Raheem Sterling has been criticised after his camp released a statement following his exclusion from the Blues’ matchday squad to face Manchester City on Sunday.

“Raheem and his team know exactly what they’re doing. They’re trying to make noise,” Micah Richards told Sky Sports.

“The thing is with Chelsea already, there is a lot of noise around the club, everyone is talking about the players, everyone is talking about the ownership, or can we even guess Chelsea’s starting eleven. Putting that statement out before the game is not good enough.

“That is not going to help your team-mates or your case for getting back in the team.”

Jamie Redknapp added: “He must have initiated it. He’s said he came back two weeks early - no need to talk about it, just get on with it, play better.

“He hasn’t been great since he’s been at Chelsea. He hasn’t been good enough, so if the manager doesn’t want to play you, you just get on with it.

“I think that is absolute rubbish. He’s got to do better than that, his representatives have got to do better than that. I think that is a really poor statement.

“There are 30 other players that could be putting statements out. It’s your opinion, if you think you’ve been doing well in pre-season, just keep doing better. The manager’s opinion is the only one that matters.”

Carney Chukwuemeka update

Carney Chukwuemeka’s wages are a major stumbling block to his chances of leaving Chelsea this summer.

The England youth international earns a reported €135,000 per week and this is an issue, according to The Sun.

Crystal Palace and Barcelona are among the clubs interested in signing him, while Enzo Maresca recently admitted that an exit is possible.

Following Chelsea’s 2-0 loss to Manchester City, the Italian said: “Carney, I think he is a very good player.

“The problem is, because of some injuries in the past, I think the best for him is to play 30 or 35 games in a row, to show himself that he is fit and how good he is because he is very good.

“With us, is he going to play 35 games? I’m not sure.”

Victor Osimhen message

Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna has insisted that Victor Osimhen’s transfer saga will not be resolved quickly. He has been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea, but the two clubs are yet to reach an agreement.

“It’s an objective fact, what the coach said, the situation is blocked,” Manna admitted.

“Victor is an important player, with an important value and conditions. His desire is clear.

“We tried to maintain the integrity of the squad at this moment. We are not the only club in this situation and we’ll see what happens over the next ten days.

“At this time, it is not right to say what sensations there are. We are working with his entourage to find the best solution. As we said, he is an important player, so it’s not that we can just sell him anywhere.

“He is under contract for another two seasons, so clearly if we don’t find a solution by August 30, we’ll have to talk to the player.”