Victor Osimhen: Chelsea keen on sensational loan as Arsenal 'make enquiry'

Chelsea are exploring the possibility of loaning Victor Osimhen from Napoli as part of a deal to reunite Romelu Lukaku with Antonio Conte, while Arsenal have made an enquiry about the prolific forward, according to reports.

Osimhen has been heavily linked with a move away this summer, despite extending his Napoli contract earlier this year. His new deal contains a fluctuating release clause worth at least £100m, which has put off potential suitors.

Paris Saint-Germain have held talks with the Serie A side in recent weeks but have not been able to come to an agreement over a transfer fee and so the race for Nigeria international remains open.

Chelsea are long-term admirers of Osimhen – 90min first revealed their interest back in October 2022 - and are yet to secure the marquee signing up front that they crave, instead bringing in the likes of Nicolas Jackson, Marc Guiu and David Datro Fofana over the past 18 months.

The Athletic report that talks are ongoing with Napoli over the potential sale of Lukaku, who returned to Stamford Bridge in 2021 after two hugely successful seasons under Conte's management at Inter, during which the Nerazzurri won the 2020/21 Serie A title, and there is now the extraordinary possibility that Napoli could send Osimhen to Chelsea on loan with an option to buy as part of any deal for Lukaku.

However, in response to the suggestions of a swap deal, Osimhen's agent took to social media to claim the story was "fake news".

"I read about imaginative exchanges with Victor sent here and there as if he were a package to be delivered quickly," Roberto Calenda wrote on X. "This package, however, is the top scorer of the third scudetto in Napoli's history. Respect and stop with fake news!!!!"

Conte is keen on a reunion with Lukaku at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, though their attempts to bring in the Belgian have been thwarted to this point.

Chelsea are determined to sanction a permanent exit for Lukaku this summer rather than allow him to leave on yet another loan. His £97.5m return to the club has been nothing short of an unmitigated disaster, leading to a second spell at Inter on loan before a 12-month stint under Jose Mourinho at Roma.

The Giallorossi had initially shown interest in taking Lukaku on a permanent basis, but were not able to match the demands of Chelsea, who still have the Belgian contracted to the club for another two years.

Osimhen has proven to be an elusive figure for Chelsea to date and getting a deal over the line may be complicated further by interest from Premier League rivals Arsenal.

Italian publication Corriere dello Sport state that the Gunners, who have long been touted as a potential destination for Osimhen, have enquired about the 25-year-old, but their main target remains Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres.

Mikel Arteta's side have also been linked with Bayern Munich's Leroy Sane, having already tied up a deal for Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori, who shone for Italy at Euro 2024 after a tremendous season at Bologna helped the Serie A side secure unlikely qualification into this season's Champions League.

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