£97.5m Chelsea man's exit 'getting closer' with 'official bid' placed, says Fabrizio Romano

The ongoing headache that is Romelu Lukaku’s situation at Chelsea could finally be over this summer. The Belgian international is linked with a permanent move to Napoli, having enjoyed separate successful loan spells in Italy across the last two seasons.

Lukaku re-signed for Chelsea in 2021 for an eye-popping £97.5 million, a former club record. However, he has been deemed surplus to the team’s requirements and linked with an exit for some time. His performances on loan in Italy have served well as a good shop window for other clubs — contributing 14 goals and seven assists with Inter, following by an impressive 21-goal haul with Roma last season.

The Blues have not hesitated with their own summer recruitment this window, splashing the cash on multiple new signings including Pedro Neto from Wolves and former Leicester City gem Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. They also have their eye on Victor Osimhen, who will be heading in the opposite direction of Lukaku if both moves can get over the line this window.

Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on both pursuits, reporting that selling Lukaku is Chelsea’s current priority and the two parties are nearing a deal for the 31-year-old. This will eventually open the door for final Osimhen talks closer to Deadline Day.

“Understand Romelu Lukaku and Napoli are getting closer. Official bid on the table,” Romano wrote on social media. “Club to club talks now into key stages as Chelsea decision is clear: Lukaku and Osimhen, SEPARATE topics. Full focus on selling Lukaku, then Osimhen story eventually for final days.”

Chelsea are set to make a significant loss on Lukaku, with a report from Sky Sports Italy earlier this month claiming that Napoli had suggested paying €25 million (£21m) plus €5 million (£4m) in bonuses for Lukaku. The Blues are reportedly holding out for closer to €43 million (£37m), which is still less than half of what they paid for the Belgian.

As for their interest in Osimhen, Chelsea are now ‘the only club’ left in the race for his signature. The Nigeria international had been the subject of plenty of interest earlier in the window but TEAMtalk has reported that Paris Saint-Germain have now withdrawn from the chase.

Napoli have slashed Osimhen’s asking price this window already but the cash involved is still pretty high, with an update from July reporting that the reduced valuation was still €100 million (£85m).