Victor Osimhen’s ‘stance’ on Chelsea move emerges as Romelu Lukaku transfer plan hatches

Victor Osimhen is reportedly in favor of joining Chelsea this summer as the Napoli striker weighs up the next step in his career. Osimhen is expected to leave his current club at the end of the season, a decision Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis confirmed earlier this year amid speculation over the player’s future.

Chelsea are one of the clubs that have been linked with the Nigerian striker, although Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain have also been suggested as possible destinations. Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio claimed on Tuesday that Osimhen would prefer a move to England, with Arsenal and Chelsea above PSG in the player’s personal pecking order.

A separate report from Gazzetta dello Sport claimed on Wednesday that it would be a battle between Chelsea and PSG for the 25-year-old’s services. The article adds that Romelu Lukaku could be used as a counterweight in a deal, providing Napoli with a ready replacement for their number 9.

Osimhen is believed to cost between €120m and €130m (£111m) and would “prefer Chelsea” over all other interested parties. The Blues would like to include Lukaku as part of a deal, according to the previous story, after parting ways with the Belgian three years after his return to the club.

Speaking about his future in January, Osimhen told CBS Sports: “There is a rumor that I am linked with the Premier League. When you are one of the best strikers in the world, you expect this kind of thing and, of course, the Premier League It is one of the best and biggest leagues in the world.

“I’m at Napoli, I signed a new contract. I’m enjoying my stay there. I think I’ve already made a decision, I already know what I want to do in my career.

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