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Five players Chelsea could offer Napoli to complete Victor Osimhen transfer

Victor Osimhen
Chelsea could sign Victor Osimhen from Napoli in a swap deal this summer transfer window -Credit:Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)


Chelsea may have found the perfect way to sign Victor Osimhen from Napoli in this summer's transfer window. The Blues have been continually linked with the Nigeria international in search for an answer to their significant goal-scoring woes.

Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku were acquired ahead of the 2023/24 campaign although both have struggled. While Nkunku has been plagued by injuries, the pressure has been on Jackson to deliver and even though he has struggled at points, the Senegal international netted his 15th goal of the season against West Ham.

Even though Jackson has been among the goals in recent weeks, Chelsea could still look to sign Osimhen. Having signed a new contract, a £113million release clause was made active but the Blues may have found an attractive way around that for Napoli.

With that in mind, here are five players the Blues could look to include in a player-plus cash deal to bring Osimhen to Stamford Bridge.

Romelu Lukaku

The most likely permanent exit this summer is Romelu Lukaku and a move to Napoli would provide the Serie A side with an immediate Osimhen replacement. Loan spells back in Italy at Inter and AS Roma have followed his 2021 transfer to Chelsea and another season there is likely.

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Chelsea are hopeful of including Lukaku in a potential swap deal to sign Osimhen. The Belgium international has scored 19 goals this season and is very clearly comfortable when playing his football in Italy.

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Cesare Casadei

Another arrival from Serie A was Cesare Casadei but he has struggled to make an impact despite starring in the FIFA U-20 World Cup. A loan spell at Leicester City this season was cut short with many Chelsea midfielders injured, however he has still been given limited minutes.

Despite Chelsea's plan to develop wonderkids and flip for profit, it may be time for Chelsea to cut their losses and that could arrive in a swap deal involving Osimhen.

Ian Maatsen

The stock of Ian Maatsen has risen significantly in the last few months courtesy of his superb loan spell at Borussia Dortmund. In his new contract, there is a £35million release clause and while the German side could look to activate that, the Blues may opt to try and send him elsewhere.

Maatsen joining Napoli is certainly something that is possible and if accepted by Napoli, it could significantly bring down Osimhen's triple-figure asking price.

Diego Moreira

As part of the Todd Boehly project, Diego Moreira was signed as an exciting talent for the future. However, a failed loan move at Lyon has seen him return to Chelsea's academy side.

Again, it could be beneficial for the Blues to move him on and doing so in turn to obtain the services of Osimhen would be a smart play

Andrey Santos

One of the first young stars to be signed under the stewardship of Clearlake Capital was Andrey Santos join as he joined for £18million.

The 20-year-old has been sent on loan to three different clubs since joining the Blues permanently with each move not going to plan. After returning to boyhood club Vasco da Gama, Santos joined Nottingham Forest but that was cut short after he barely featured.

Santos then joined Chelsea's sister-club Strasbourg in France but he has again featured minimally and therefore it may be worth parting ways, with Napoli having the incentive to be given the services of a very talented midfielder.