Chelsea Transfer News Today: Osimhen BOMBSHELL, Arsenal HIJACK, Nico Williams HOPE, Wiley SIGNED

Robin Bairner

22 Jul 2024 19:24 BST
5 min read

Victor Osimhen, Antonio Conte, Napoli — © IMAGO

The latest Chelsea football transfer news updates, with the hottest updates on all the potential new signings and sales at Stamford Bridge, including Victor Osimhen, Nico Williams and Romelu Lukaku.

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Chelsea seek to steal Merino from Arsenal

Arsenal have targeted Spain Euro 2024 winner Mikel Merino as their next signing after Riccardo Calafiori, according to Spanish outlet Sport, but the Emirates club face competition from Chelsea.

Speaking to Radio Marca, journalist Roberto Gomez explained on X: “Mikel Merino is about to leave for the Premier League. It seems that Chelsea is the team that is very interested. My information is that he is leaving.”

Merino has previously turned out for Newcastle in England’s top flight.

Current ETV

Mikel Merino

M (C)

Real Sociedad

Mikel Merino

M (C)

Real Sociedad

ETV Range

€15.9M - €26.5M

Blues given Nico Williams hope

Fabrizio Romano has explained that Chelsea can still hope to conclude a transfer for Nico Williams, even if the deal for the moment appears to be dead.

The Spain winger is expected to move to Barcelona, but the Blaugrana have asked for patience regarding the timing of the transfer. They have informed Williams that they likely won't be able to conclude the deal until August.

Romano, meanwhile has said on the matter: “For Chelsea to activate an option like [Victor] Osimhen or Nico Williams, the package has to be reduced. Chelsea won’t pay crazy money in transfer fee or in salary. If the package is reduced, Chelsea can open the door to these possibilities. Otherwise, they’ll go for different players."

Current ETV

Nico Williams

M (L)

Athletic

Nico Williams

M (L)

Athletic

ETV Range

€34.2M - €57M

According to Romano, despite the difficulties and other reports, Barca are still seeking to push through a deal for the Athletic Club attacker ASAP to ward off any hijack: “I really think the next week will be important for Nico Williams.

“Barcelona are working really hard on this deal. Their obsession and priority is Nico Williams. Despite all the other rumours about other players – yes, they had some contact with Dani Olmo’s agents – but the only ongoing negation today is Nico Williams.

“All the other topics, like Joao Cancelo, will be after this. Barcelona’s full focus is on this. They know that they can’t waste time, otherwise clubs from the Premier League could arrive.”

Osimhen DEAL OFF but Lukaku agreement in place

Romelu Lukaku will leave Chelsea for Napoli if Victor Osimhen departs Napoli.

However, the problem is that the deal currently looks off. According to French media and Fabrizio Romano, there is a huge discrepancy between Napoli's demands and what PSG are willing to pay, meaning that the talks are currently at a standstill.

Napoli initially wanted Lee Kang-in to be included in the transaction and, when PSG rejected this possibility, they demanded that his full €120m-€130 be paid, which the Ligue 1 champions again refused.

This also means that Lukaku's move to Napoli currently looks off the table.

Previously, Corriere dello Sport outlined the knock-on effect of Osimhen’s transfer would have for Chelsea and Lukaku.

“If Osimhen is sold, Napoli will be able to close the announced move of Romelu Lukaku to Chelsea. It’s a story that’s already written because Rom can’t wait to team up with Antonio Conte again. He’s already training, alone on holiday, to be ready.”

Chelsea monitor Chiesa

Chelsea are following the situation of Juventus winger Federico Chiesa, who is set to leave the Serie A giants as new head coach Thiago Motta does not favour him while his contract only has one year left to run.

Gazzetta dello Sport (via TuttoJuve) indicates the Blues are interested in the winger but there is also competition from Tottenham for one of the inspirations behind Italy’s Euro 2020 victory.

His current Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) is €27.6m.

Current ETV

F. Chiesa

F (C)

Juventus

F. Chiesa

F (C)

Juventus

ETV Range

€20.7M - €34.5M

Nkunku optimistic injury woes are over

Christopher Nkunku says that he feels in good condition to shine with Chelsea after a first season at Stamford Bridge dogged by injury issues.

“I am feeling better after the difficult season last year. I am feeling better,” he said in quotes relayed by the Evening Standard.

“I had a nice break during the summer. I needed it. I worked a little bit before coming here, but it was important for me to break after this year, for my head also. It was good.

“Now I am working in every training session to stay fit and to go forward in a good way. Pre-season is very good and the team is good. We are practicing the hard work to be fresh and ready to play some friendly games.”