Chelsea are plotting a January move for Victor Osimhen – while there is also growing optimism Romelu Lukaku will finally be sold next summer. The Nigerian frontman is ready to leave Napoli after the Italian club were threatened with legal action by the player’s agent over an offence TikTok post.
Napoli have since issued a form of apology but still, relations are understood to have been significantly damaged following the saga which has rocked Italian football.
Osimhen will continue to play for the club in the meantime but his representatives will now be keen to entertain offers ahead of the winter market.
The shamed Serie A club have since confirmed that they rejected a series of proposals for Osimhen in the summer transfer window.
While they had been quoting a monstrous fee worth up to £175million – it’s though Osimhen could potentially be available for significantly less than that if he actively pushes for a transfer.
Ivan Toney is also of interest to the Blues with Mauricio Pochettino desperate for attacking reinforcements following his side’s challenging start to the season.
Meanwhile, there is positivity that Chelsea can finally recoup a credible transfer fee for £97.5m flop Lukaku next summer.
The Belgian has hit the ground running at Roma despite their concerning form having netted three goals in four starts.
His release clause now stands at £38m and even if Roma do not agree to pay that figure, his stock now looks to be on the rise again following a difficult summer.
Lukaku has recently parted company with representatives Roc Nation Sports following the completion of his loan move to Roma.
Jose Mourinho’s struggling outfit could pay up to £8m in loan fees should Lukaku reach performance-related criteria.
They are also covering the 30-year-old’s wages for the entirety of the season.
Armando Broja could be handed his first start under Pochettino on Monday in the west London derby against Fulham.
The Albanian was the subject of various offers in the summer transfer window but the Blues consider him to be a key talent for the future.
Pochettino has previously laid on record that he does not want to block the pathway of the former Southampton loanee.
Chelsea are eagerly awaiting the return of Christopher Nkunku who is due to return to action in December following a knee injury that required surgery.
