Chelsea are considering signing Victor Osimhen from Napoli as negotiations proceed over Romelu Lukaku heading in the wrong way.
The dimensions of the numbers concerned had put Chelsea off signing Osimhen earlier within the window, however a possible deal may very well be revived because the golf equipment proceed discussions over Lukaku going to the Serie A aspect.
The Belgium worldwide’s exit would release a sizeable amount of cash on Chelsea’s wage invoice, though a deal for Osimhen continues to be tough to do however has not been dominated out.
Napoli are keen to do a deal for the Nigeria worldwide after he signed a brand new contract in December that included a big pay rise and a launch clause price greater than £100m.
The 25-year-old has scored 76 targets in 133 appearances for the Italian aspect since becoming a member of from Lille in July 2020.
Osimhen and Lukaku are coaching away from the remainder of their respective squads amid the uncertainty over their futures.
New Napoli head coach Antonio Conte actually needs to signal Lukaku, whom he managed for 2 seasons at Inter Milan.
Napoli boss Antonio Conte (proper) needs to be reunited with Romelu Lukaku
The 31-year-old, who joined Chelsea in August 2021 for £97.5m, spent final season on mortgage at Roma as he scored 21 targets in 47 video games in all competitions.
Atletico Madrid in Gallagher talks
Conor Gallagher is attention-grabbing Atletico Madrid, Tottenham and Aston Villa this summer time
Atletico Madrid stay in talks with Chelsea over a possible deal for Conor Gallagher.
A large hole in valuation nonetheless exists between the golf equipment, with the LaLiga aspect hoping to barter down Chelsea’s £40m calls for.
Atletico had a £30m supply rejected earlier within the window and stay eager to signal him.
Tottenham are additionally anticipated to make a suggestion for the England worldwide. Ange Postecoglou’s aspect have a long-term curiosity within the 24-year-old and tried to signal him final summer time.
Aston Villa have additionally had an curiosity in Gallagher, who is about to return from his post-Euros vacation quickly.
Trigger for concern? Off-field upheaval and issues on the pitch for Chelsea
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has seen two disappointing performances from his aspect up to now in pre-season
Placing an excessive amount of weight onto pre-season outcomes is a perennial entice that have to be prevented. However whereas alarm bells could not but be ringing at Chelsea, their performances throughout their US tour up to now could have many followers involved {that a} summer time of off-field upheaval has introduced additional issues on the pitch.
New boss Enzo Maresca shrugged that his aspect “are going to concede goals” with the play-out-from-the-back fashion he’s attempting to impose after defensive errors noticed Chelsea wrestle to a 2-2 draw with League One Wrexham of their first outing Stateside.
However letting in 4 in opposition to Celtic was in all probability past his acceptable allowance.
In each video games – with all of the caveats of pre-season in place – Chelsea seemed open, uncertain and error-prone. Whether or not it was Wrexham or Celtic forwards, there was repeatedly area in behind to use – or Chelsea defenders giving the ball again to the opposition in harmful areas.
Learn Pete Smith’s characteristic on Chelsea’s troubling pre-season right here.
When does the summer time switch window open and shut?
The 2024 summer time switch window formally closes on August 30 at 11pm UK time within the Premier League and 11.30pm in Scotland.
The Premier League has introduced ahead Deadline Day to hyperlink up with the opposite main leagues in Europe. The cut-off dates had been set following discussions with the leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.
