Osimhen and Lukaku Swap Deal Off As Chelsea Continues Push for Napoli Star

• A potential swap deal for Victor Osimhen and Romelu Lukaku is off the table
• The Napoli star has been strongly linked with joining the Blues this summer
• Chelsea were reportedly considering offering Napoli a player exchange deal

Chelsea’s proposed offer to sign Victor Osimhen by swapping on-loan striker, Romelu Lukaku, for the Nigerian forward has reportedly been dismissed.

The Blues are perceived to have identified the Napoli striker as their top transfer target this summer.

The club was said to have been willing to offer Lukaku, another young player, and €90 million to Napoli in exchange for the 25-year-old Super Eagles striker.

According to Soccernet, transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, has debunked any ongoing negotiations between Chelsea and Napoli, putting an end to the speculation surrounding the two top strikers.

"I will cry the day I leave Napoli": Victor Osimhen opens up

Football

Osimhen has scored 15 Serie A goals for the defending champions this season despite battling with injuries and has been strongly linked with an exit from the Italian club in the summer window.

Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal are the other two clubs currently linked with an interest in Osimhen although the Parisians remain the favourites to sign the Super Eagles striker.

Osimhen keen on Chelsea's transfer

Meanwhile, Italian journalist, Gianluca Di Marzio, has claimed that Osimhen is keen on joining Chelsea or their English rivals, Arsenal, in the summer when the transfer market opens, IcFootball News reports.

Di Marzio stated that the 25-year-old forward is not interested in returning to France despite huge interest from Ligue 1 champions, PSG, who are keen to replace the outgoing Kylian Mbappe with the Nigerian.

The Italian reporter believes Osimhen would be an ideal fit for the Premier League and claimed the Super Eagles ace would most likely prefer a deal bringing him to England rather than accepting PSG's offer.

Victor Osimhen Subtly Hints That He Will ‘Cry’ When He Leaves Napoli

Football

Napoli lining up Osimhen’s replacement

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Victor Boniface and Artem Dovbyk were identified by Napoli as potential replacements for Osimhen when he inevitably departs the club.

The Serie A giants are prepared to lose the Nigerian striker this summer with the likes of Chelsea, PSG, Arsenal, and Manchester United all linked with an interest in the Napoli star.