Napoli Signals Willingness to Lower Victor Osimhen’s Transfer Fee for Chelsea

Napoli has indicated to Chelsea that they are prepared to reduce their asking price for striker Victor Osimhen, according to reports from Italy.

Initially, Napoli set Osimhen’s release clause at €130 million (£110.8 million). However, as no club has yet met this valuation, Napoli President Aurelio de Laurentiis is considering lowering the price.

Chelsea, Arsenal, and Paris Saint-Germain have all expressed interest in Osimhen, but the high fee has been a sticking point.

Strategic Moves and Financial Pressures

Napoli finds itself in a delicate financial position. They are counting on Osimhen’s transfer fee to balance their summer expenditures, which include a potential deal for Romelu Lukaku.

Napoli’s president has assured coach Antonio Conte that key players like Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Frank Anguissa, and Stanislav Lobotka will not be sold.

Negotiations and Potential Deals

Napoli has started negotiations with Chelsea regarding Lukaku. Initially, Chelsea sought to meet the Belgian’s £38 million release clause but is now open to accepting around €25 million (£21.1 million) for the 31-year-old, as Lukaku is keen to reunite with Conte at Napoli.

During these discussions, Napoli communicated their willingness to lower Osimhen’s valuation to €100 million (£84.6 million).

Chelsea’s Stance and Osimhen’s Preferences

Despite the reduction, Chelsea still considers €100 million too high. Recently, Chelsea agreed on a £42 million fee with Aston Villa for Colombian striker Jhon Duran, highlighting their cautious spending approach.

Victor Osimhen has also received offers from the Saudi Pro League but prefers to stay in Europe, having previously turned down a move to the Middle East. At his unveiling as Napoli’s new head coach, Conte acknowledged Osimhen’s agreement to leave the club:

“I know what the situation is regarding Osimhen. I know that there are agreements, that it is a situation different from all the others.

I can only assist. He is a player of the highest level, exceptional, but I cannot enter into any discussion because it is part of previous agreements which have been clearly stated to me.”

Conte is also interested in bringing Lukaku into his squad, but Napoli faces competition from AC Milan, who are also negotiating with Chelsea for a potential deal.