Chelsea is closing in on a sensational transfer for Napoli’s star striker Victor Osimhen, with reports suggesting that Romelu Lukaku and a promising young talent, Cesare Casadei, could be included as part of the deal. The Blues have been aggressively pursuing a top-tier forward all summer, and their efforts have now intensified following the collapse of a move for Atletico Madrid’s Samu Omorodion.
Chelsea’s Strategy: Lukaku and Casadei as Bargaining Chips
Victor Osimhen, who has expressed his desire to leave Napoli, has become Chelsea’s primary target. Napoli, in turn, is eager to bring in Romelu Lukaku as a replacement. Chelsea sees this as an opportunity to reduce Osimhen’s hefty £100 million price tag by offering Lukaku, alongside Cesare Casadei, in exchange.
According to The Sun, this strategic move could potentially see Chelsea securing Osimhen for as little as £39 million, with the combined value of Lukaku and Casadei offsetting the remainder of the fee. Napoli’s manager, Antonio Conte, is reportedly keen on reuniting with Lukaku, whom he previously coached at Inter Milan. Lukaku is currently training with Chelsea’s reserves, with the club eager to offload his £325,000-a-week salary.
The Surprising Inclusion of Cesare Casadei
While Lukaku’s departure has been anticipated, the inclusion of Cesare Casadei in the deal comes as a surprise. Casadei, a 21-year-old Italian midfielder, was one of the early signings under Chelsea’s new ownership led by Todd Boehly. Initially, there were high expectations for Casadei, who had impressed in Inter Milan’s academy and was once seen as a potential star.
Despite these early hopes, Casadei’s time at Chelsea has been underwhelming. His performances during loan spells in the Championship and sporadic appearances for the Blues have not lived up to expectations. This has led Chelsea to reconsider his future, despite previous statements from former manager Mauricio Pochettino praising his potential.
Contract Negotiations: The Final Hurdle
While Lukaku has reportedly agreed to personal terms with Napoli, including a significant pay cut, negotiations between Chelsea and Osimhen are proving more complex. Osimhen signed a lucrative £210,000-a-week contract with Napoli in December 2023 and is hesitant to accept a reduced salary. Chelsea, however, has a strict wage structure, with only a few players, including Reece James and Raheem Sterling, earning over £200,000 a week.
Should Osimhen refuse to lower his wage demands, Chelsea may face a difficult decision: break their wage structure or abandon the deal altogether. If completed, the acquisition of Osimhen would push Chelsea’s summer spending beyond £200 million, adding to the staggering £1.13 billion spent on players since Boehly’s takeover just over two years ago.
Competition from PSG and Arsenal
Chelsea’s pursuit of Osimhen is not without competition. Both Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Arsenal are reportedly monitoring the situation closely and could make their own bids for the Nigerian striker. With the transfer window rapidly closing, Chelsea will need to act swiftly to secure Osimhen’s signature and strengthen their squad for the upcoming season.
In conclusion, Chelsea’s potential deal for Victor Osimhen represents a bold move in the transfer market, with the club willing to leverage high-profile players like Romelu Lukaku and Cesare Casadei to secure one of Europe’s most sought-after strikers. As negotiations continue, the outcome of this transfer saga could have significant implications for Chelsea’s ambitions in the Premier League and beyond.
