Antonio Conte takes Victor Osimhen to Chelsea

Tom Weber

Updated: 29 May 2024 12:45 CDT
3 min read

A swap deal between Chelsea and Napoli involving Victor Osimhen and Romelu Lukaku is picking up steam, according to Italian media.

Article continues under the video

Former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is set to take the reins at 2023 Serie A champions Napoli in the coming days, with talks having progressed swiftly in recent times.

The Italian tactician will have to make some big calls regarding transfers over the next few weeks. Several of Napoli's big-name stars are in demand and some will jump ship after a pitiful attempt at a title defence last season.

Piotr Zielinski has already signed for Inter, while Giovanni di Lorenzo has confirmed that he is looking to leave as well. Star striker Victor Osimhen, meanwhile, has a €130 million release clause and is also expected to depart.

Already on Monday, it was reported that Conte had accepted the fact that Osimhen would be on the move this summer. As a replacement, the 54-year-old wants to sign his former Inter star Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea.

Lukaku-Osimhen swap?

Intriguingly, on Monday, the prospect of a potential swap deal between Chelsea and Napoli regarding the two strikers was played down due to the vast discrepancy in the valuation of the players.

Now, however, Il Mattino claims that the chances of a swap deal are increasing. It is asserted that Chelsea's desire to get rid of Lukaku, bordering on desperation, means that they are considering including the Belgian in a deal for Osimhen.

The Blues are keen to add a big-name, prolific centre-forward this summer and Osimhen has been their top target for months. The player is keen on the move, but the potential cost of the deal is a stumbling block due to Chelsea's lavish spending in recent years, which has them at risk of failing to comply with Profit and Sustainability and Financial Fair Play regulations.