30 September 2023 , 19:30
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Chelsea are finally optimistic they will net a credible fee for Romelu Lukaku next summer as they prepare to explore a January deal for Victor Osimhen.
The Belgian frontman has netted three goals in four starts under Jose Mourinho, who is enduring the worst start to a season of his managerial career, since joining the Giallorossi on a straight loan in the final 48 hours of the transfer window.
Although the deal does not include an option or obligation to buy - Chelsea are encouraged by Lukaku's recent upturn in form following his return to Italy and there is positivity they will finally be able to move him on at the end of the season. Chelsea have struggled to find a permanent buyer for their £97.5million flop, who was made to train away from Mauricio Pochettino's first-team squad in pre-season before a last-ditch intervention from Roma in late August.
The Serie A side will pay Chelsea up to £8m for the loan depending on performance-related criteria and are covering the centre-forward's wages for the season. But the Blues still want Lukaku off their books despite the fact he is due to return to Cobham in 2024 and his eye-catching start in Rome has provided the foundations to rebuild his damaged stock.
Lukaku has now parted company with representatives Roc Nation Sports and his current Chelsea contract contains a release clause worth in the region of £38m. Pochettino is desperate to land a striker in the January transfer window to ease his side's troubles in front of goal and the club are out to make amends following their shortcomings in the summer market.
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Victor Osimhen was the subject of an offensive TikTok that was posted by Napoli (Getty Images)Chelsea are expected to unleash the returning Armando Broja on Monday at Fulham after Nicolas Jackson was hit with a suspension after swiftly accumulating five yellow cards in the Premier League. The Blues have scored just five goals in six Premier League matches to date with Osimhen and Ivan Toney among those that will be considered by the Stamford Bridge hierarchy this winter.
Osimhen is now understood to be looking for a way out of Napoli, who were threatened with legal action earlier this week by the Nigeria international's agent following an offensive post that was shared on the club's TikTok. Although Napoli have since issued an apologetic statement, relations between the club and player appear to be damaged beyond repair.
Chelsea made enquiries for Osimhen, who netted in Napoli's 4-1 in over Udinese on Wednesday, this summer but Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis publicly requested a whopping £175m fee to consider sanctioning a sale.
Napoli have also confirmed they rejected proposals ahead of the 2023/24 season as their talismanic forward was deemed untouchable. That is no longer thought to be the case and Osimhen's price-tag could now be slashed if the 24-year-old pushes for a move in early 2024 - something that now looks probable.