Victor Osimhen 'stance' on Chelsea move emerges as Romelu Lukaku transfer plan hatched

Victor Osimhen is reportedly in favour of signing for Chelsea this summer as the Napoli forward weighs up the next step in his career. Osimhen is expected to leave his current club at the end of the season, a decision Napoli club president Aurelio de Laurentiis confirmed at the start of the year amid speculation over the player's future.

Chelsea are one of the clubs to have been linked with the Nigerian striker, though Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain have also been suggested as possible destinations. Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio stated on Tuesday that Osimhen would prefer a move to England, with Arsenal and Chelsea above PSG in the player's personal pecking order.

A separate report by Gazzetta dello Sport on Wednesday claimed it would be a battle between Chelsea and PSG for the services of the 25-year-old. The article adds that Romelu Lukaku could be used as a makeweight in a deal, providing Napoli with a ready-made replacement for their No.9.

It is believed Osimhen will cost in the region of €120 (£103m)- €130m (£111m) and 'would prefer Chelsea' above all other interested parties. The Blues would like to include Lukaku as part of an agreement, according to the above story, after parting ways with the Belgian three years after he returned to the club.

Discussing his future back in January, Osimhen told CBS Sports said: "The rumour is going around about me linked with the Premier League. When you're one of the hottest strikers on the globe, you expect this type of thing, and of course, the Premier League is one of the biggest and best leagues in the whole world.

"I'm with Napoli, I signed a new contract. I'm enjoying my time there. I think I've already made up my mind, I already know what I want to do in my career.

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"Since I've started, I've been the one making my own decisions and everything is working out well for me. I already know the next step I want to take, so for now I just want to finish the season strong.

"I will [then] go relax somewhere with my daughter, think about my life and then finally come out with a decision that I've already made."