It looks like one Chelsea player has moved closer to the exit door, with another club now said to have an agreement with the Blues to sign him this summer.
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And with there still being plenty of time before the market closes, you would expect there to be even more exits in west London.
One player who looks likely to leave is Romelu Lukaku. Napoli could be Lukaku’s destination amid strong interest from the Serie A club.
Romelu Lukaku of AS Roma during the Serie A TIM match between AS Roma and SSC Napoli at Stadio Olimpico on December 23, 2023 in Rome, Italy.
It was recently reported that Napoli could sign Lukaku for £25m this summer. It now looks like they could land him for around that price very soon.
According to Corriere dello Sport, Napoli have a €25m (£21m) agreement with Chelsea to bring the striker in.
However, a transfer being finalised may depend on Victor Osimhen’s future. Osimhen remains at Napoli for the time being, though he is attracting interest from other clubs, including Chelsea.
In fact, it has been claimed that Osimhen has a proposal from Chelsea, who are still looking for a new striker.
31, Lukaku is not getting any younger. Still, to sign him for just over £20m could prove to be very good business.
The Belgian is still a top goalscorer, and had he been settled in London, Chelsea probably would have just kept him instead of searching for a new centre-forward themselves.
Last season, Lukaku netted 21 times in 47 appearances while out on loan at AS Roma. He could be the perfect Osimhen replacement if the 25-year-old ends up joining Enzo Maresca‘s team or another side this summer.
As for Chelsea and their new manager, if they fail to bring in Osimhen or another No.9, then Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku will be expected to be the two main striker options this upcoming season.