Napoli provide huge update on future of Chelsea target Victor Osimhen
- Chelsea still chasing Osimhen's signature despite expensive summer
- Striker left out of Napoli's first competitive game of the season
- Romelu Lukaku the preferred replacement for manager Antonio Conte
By Tom Gott
Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna has confirmed striker Victor Osimhen has asked to leave the club this summer.
Chelsea are long-term admirers of Osimhen and 90min understands the Blues are still exploring a move for the Nigeria international, despite closing in on a £35m deal to sign Samu Omorodion from Atletico Madrid.
Paris Saint-Germain have also agreed personal terms with Osimhen but have declined to meet Napoli's demands of over £100m for the striker, who was left out of the squad for his side's first competitive fixture of the season on Saturday.
Asked to explain Osimhen's absence, Manna admitted: "Victor is a player who wants to leave. He has asked to go.
"Last year there was already a situation in place, we are calm because we have guys in the squad to replace him. Osimhen is a strong player but we want to give integrity to the group and we prefer to protect the creation of the team group. Then we will see what happens in the next 20 days."
Chelsea are reluctant to meet Napoli's asking price and are hoping to sign Osimhen on an initial loan deal, although the striker's representatives are not currently entertaining the idea of any move which does not include the guarantee of a permanent move away from Napoli.
Working in the Blues' favour is Napoli manager Antonio Conte's desire to replace Osimhen with Romelu Lukaku, who is available for a fee of £37m.
"Lukaku is a Chelsea player and with [Giacomo] Raspadori and others in the squad we are calm," Manna continued. "An offensive player could arrive but it is not certain that it will be Lukaku. We will be ready to take advantage of any opportunities."
Chelsea are prepared to play the waiting game when it comes to Osimhen and, with the impending arrival of Samu, do not feel under pressure to meet Napoli's demands.
Instead, the Blues hope the tension between Napoli and Osimhen, coupled with Conte's determination to land Lukaku, could force the Serie A side to lower their demands later in the transfer window.
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