Napoli are ready to incorporating Romelu Lukaku in talks with Chelsea about Victor Osimhen, with the Serie A club eager to complete a deal for the Belgium striker.
Lukaku is set to return to Chelsea’s training ground at Cobham this week after spending two seasons on loan at Inter and Roma.
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It is reported that the 31-year-old will practice alongside team members who did not travel to the United States for the club’s trip, including defender Trevoh Chalobah, who has been designated for transfer.
Lukaku has two years remaining on his contract after re-signing for a club record £97.5 million in 2021, and he has reportedly agreed to a three-year deal with Napoli.
However, Chelsea is thought to be holding out for around £30 million and is still in talks with the Italian club, which needs to sell Osimhen to fund market moves.
Paris Saint-Germain were thought to be the frontrunners to sign the Nigeria striker, but talks with Napoli appear to have halted.
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Aurelio De Laurentiis, Napoli’s president, has set a release clause of around €130 million (£110 million) for Osimhen, who has been practicing separately from the rest of Antonio Conte’s team and has yet to appear in any pre-season games.
Chelsea has a long-standing interest in the 25-year-old, who helped Napoli end their 33-year wait to become Italian champions in 2023.
Club sources have previously stated that they would not be willing to pay his release clause, but the ability to offload Lukaku from their wage bill might potentially assist fund a deal for Osimhen.
Chelsea are close to signing Filip Jorgensen after negotiating a €24 million (£20.2 million) price with Villarreal for the goalkeeper.
The 22-year-old, whose arrival puts question on the future of back-up Djordje Petrovic, is expected to finish his medical and join Chelsea on tour.
Aaron Anselmino, a 19-year-old defender, is poised to join Chelsea on a six-year contract before returning to Boca Juniors on loan.
Chalobah captained Chelsea’s youth squad in a friendly against Boreham Wood on Saturday, just hours before Enzo Maresca’s team was thrashed 4-1 by Celtic in Indiana.
The 25-year-old, who was surprised by his removal from the tour, is said to be interested in the Premier League and abroad.