10pm: Enzo Maresca ready to sacrifice 2 Chelsea stars in stunning swap deal to sign Victor Osimhen
According to a rumor, Chelsea is prepared to give up cash, Romelu Lukaku, and Cesare Casadei in order to sign Victor Osimhen.
The Napoli sharpshooter transfer drama is still going strong. Osimhen and the team have a gentleman’s agreement for him to go this summer. The 2023 winners are eager to get him off the books because of his high salary and their wish to provide money to Antonio Conte, the incoming manager.
The issue is that no European team is prepared to fulfill his €130 million release clause, and some are even reluctant to pay the €100 million that the Nigerian player would demand. It is reported that Arsenal offered €70 million, but it was quickly turned down.
Saudi side Al-Hilal are reportedly ready to ‘shower Osimhen in gold,’ but the 25-year-old dreams of playing in the Premier League. Chelsea, who previously cooled their interest, are said to be keeping a close eye on the situation still and news of Napoli lowering their demands has heartened the Blues.
Napoli want to get at least €100m for Osimhen, while Chelsea are not prepared to go that high. Instead, they are willing to swap up to two players plus a transfer fee for the striker.
Chelsea to sacrifice Casadei, Lukaku
At least that is according to Rudy Galetti, who reports that Romelu Lukaku is the obvious player to be included in the deal. Antonio Conte is keen on reuniting with his former Inter star and the feeling is mutual.
Chelsea are also trying to get rid of Armando Broja and Trevoh Chalobah, but neither player is of interest to Napoli. They don’t need Broja if they are getting Lukaku and they are also currently in the process of signing highly-rated Alessandro Buongiorno from Torino for the centre-back position.
However, according to Galetti, there is another player the Blues are willing to part with. That man is Italian midfielder Cesare Casadei. His move to Chelsea in 2022 caused outrage in his native country and was met with excitement at Stamford Bridge, but two years on, the Blues are willing to sacrifice him.
Despite impressive loan spells at Reading and Leicester and Chelsea still rating Casadei highly, the 21-year-old is a candidate to depart west London this summer. Galetti claims that Napoli would be interested in Casadei, so it seems that a swap deal could potentially be on the cards.