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Romelu Lukaku agrees to leave Chelsea but Victor Osimhen’s demand delays transfer | Football

Belgium's Romelu Lukaku in action during the UEFA EURO 2024 round of 16 between France and Belgium

Romelu Lukaku is one step closer to joining Napoli (Anadolu via Getty)

According to Italian reports, Napoli have agreed a personal deal with Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku.

Chelsea want to sell the 31-year-old permanently this summer after sending him on loan to Roma last season.

Antonio Conte has made signing Lukaku one of his top priorities following his arrival from Napoli last month, with the former Chelsea manager moving one step closer to signing one of his top transfer targets.

According to Sky Sports Italy, Lukaku has signed a three-year contract with Napoli worth around £97,000-a-week (excluding performance bonuses).

Chelsea are demanding a transfer fee of £30million plus bonuses for the Belgium international, but Napoli cannot complete the deal until Victor Osimhen is sold.

Paris Saint-Germain have held extensive talks with Napoli over Osimhen, but the Serie A club are reluctant to accept a transfer fee lower than his €130m (£110.8m) release clause – a demand that has put off both Chelsea and Arsenal.

Napoli's Victor Osimhen during day 3 of SSC Napoli's pre-season training camp in Dimaro, Trento, Italy

Victor Osimhen is back in pre-season training with Napoli (Shutterstock)

The French champions are said to be exploring the possibility of offering €100m (£84.3m) plus a player as part of their bid.

Osimhen’s agent, Roberto Calenda, traveled to Paris earlier this week to accelerate negotiations.

Conte stressed this week that he has no problem with Osimhen’s transfer delaying Napoli’s arrival in the summer.

“The situation was already very clear,” Conte told Rai Sport.

“I was aware of it. Everything is going according to plan. For me, it is not a surprise to wait. We handle every situation in the right way.

“As I said, first we realigned, now we evaluate, and then there will be sales and new contracts. The vision is very clear. There will be no problems.”


CHELSEA SUMMER PURCHASES 2024

Tosin Adarabioyo (from Fulham, free transfer)

Marc Guiu (Barcelona, ​​£5m)

Omari Kellyman (Aston Villa, £19 million)

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (Leicester City, £30m)

Renato Veiga (FC Basel, £12m)

Lukaku made it clear in an interview with RTL last month that he is open to a move to Napoli and a reunion with Conte, after they won the Serie A title together at Internazionale three years ago.

“I’ve already thought it out in my head. I know what’s going to happen,” Lukaku said.

‘A lot of people like to talk, maybe because I don’t have an agent. But I’m going to decide. I’m in control of my situation.

‘I’m going to make a choice and if I explain it, everyone will agree with me.

‘Look, every time I decided to stay or leave somewhere, certain factors – my relationship with the coach, for example – turned out to be the right choice.

“It’s like being in a relationship with a woman. If we don’t click anymore, why stay together?”

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