Chelsea considering swap deal offer for Serie A superstar, set to include outcast Romelu Lukaku in deal - Reports
Chelsea are reportedly contemplating a swap deal for Napoli hitman Victor Osimhen, with wantaway striker Romelu Lukaku to head the other way. The Belgian has spent the last two seasons on loan in Italy.
The Blues have been in pursuit of Osimhen for a while. The 25-year-old Nigerian played a key role in Napoli's 2022-23 triumph, registering 26 goals and five assists in 32 games. However, he followed that up with a rather underwhelming 15 goals and three assists in 25 games as the Partenopei finished a lowly tenth.
Having not featured in the club's pre-season, Osimhen has been reportedly training alone, with sporting director Giovanni Manna confirming that the striker wants to leave.
Osimhen, though, has a release clause of €130 million, but the Blues are apparently not willing to trigger that. However, as per journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, they are back in the race for his services, despite PSG also in the fray.
Manna is in London to seal a few deals for Antonio Conte's team, with one of the moves involving Blues striker Lukaku. The Serie A club have offered €25 million (and €5 million in bonuses) and are awaiting the Blues' response for the striker who last played for them in the 2021-22 season.
That leaves open the possibility of Osimhen moving to Stamford Bridge permanently and Lukaku headed the other way.
Cole Palmer extends Chelsea stay
Chelsea have rewarded attacker Cole Palmer for his spectacular debut season by extending his stay till 2033, as reported by the BBC. Since arriving from Manchester City last summer, the 22-year-old registered 25 goals and 15 assists in 45 games across competitions.
He helped the Blues to a sixth-placed league finish, EFL Cup final (lost 1-0 to Liverpool in extra time) and a 1-0 defeat to holders Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final.
Palmer is now tied to the club for nine years and on improved terms after arriving last summer on a reported deal worth £42.5 million. He also impressed at Euro 2024 for England despite not starting any game.
After setting up fellow substitute Ollie Watkins' winner in the 2-1 semi-final win over the Netherlands, Palmer scored England's equaliser in the 2-1 defeat to Spain in the final.
The 2023-24 Premier League Young Player of the Year winner is expected to start in the league opener at home to Manchester City on Sunday (August 18) as the Blues kick off the Enzo Maresca era.