Arsenal handed brutal £100m transfer blow as Chelsea target makes 'door not shut' claims

Arsenal look to have been handed a huge blow in their pursuit of a new striker with the highly-targeted Victor Osimhen once again linked with a move to the Gunners’ Premier League rivals, Chelsea. The Blues are said to be ‘in talks’ with Osimhen’s current side Napoli and the Serie A side are reportedly hopeful of bringing Chelsea star Romelu Lukaku to the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.

The Belgian’s return to Chelsea in 2021 cost a reported fee of £97.5m, but in December of the same year the ex-Everton and Manchester United star fell out of favour with the then-head coach Thomas Tuchel and has spent the last two seasons out on loan.

Lukaku, 31, enjoyed a fruitful 2023/24 campaign on loan with Roma, scoring 21 goals in 47 matches across all competitions. He previously enjoyed his most successful run of form under the now Napoli head coach Antonio Conte during the pair’s time at Inter Milan, scoring 34 and 30 goals in the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons respectively.

While the striker’s current contract should see him remain attached to the Stamford Bridge side until 2026, it has been widely reported that the Belgian is set to make his return to the Serie A more permanent. The interest from Napoli comes at the most opportune time as the new Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca hopes to secure the signature of in-demand striker Osimhen.

Taking to Twitter, Sports journalist Ben Jacobs - as backed up by The Athletic’s David Ornstein - has said: “Chelsea are in talks with Napoli over Victor Osimhen, whilst Romelu Lukaku has already agreed to a pay cut and a three-year contract to move to Naples.

“Chelsea don’t want to pay the €120m+ release clause but are keen on Osimhen should the structure change or price drop. Loan with option has been discussed. Also understand Napoli have raised a loan-option into an obligation should Chelsea qualify for UCL.

“Door not shut. Osimhen also impatient to move, which has caused Napoli to re-assess their position. Osimhen has agreed terms with PSG but is understood to be in favour of Chelsea should a club-to-club agreement be reached. PSG talks over a fee/structure haven’t progressed to date. Saudi offer for Osimhen won’t be made unless the Nigerian striker gives a green light after rejected three offers from Al-Hilal 12 months ago.

“Napoli wanting Lukaku helps Chelsea, as does Osimhen putting pressure on Napoli to leave as soon as possible.”

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have long been interested in bringing an out-and-out striker to the Emirates but appear once again to be missing the boat with the 25-year-old Nigerian appearing to opt for a move to west London as opposed to north of the capital.

The striker has scored 65 goals in 108 Serie A appearances for Napoli, signing a contract extension in December 2023 that included a €130 million (£110m) release clause. Such a figure has put interested parties off attempting to prise the ex-Lille forward away from Italy but with a potential swap move on the cards, the striker described as ‘the complete package’ could well be in the Premier League for the 2024/25 campaign.