No going back: Napoli agree deal to sign Chelsea striker amid uncertainty over the future of Osimhen

Chelsea and Napoli have reached a club-to-club agreement for the transfer of Belgium international Romelu Lukaku, according to Italian transfer market specialist Fabrizio Romano. 

Napoli had been pursuing Lukaku since the opening of the transfer window, as a potential replacement for reigning African Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen, who has a gentleman's agreement in place to depart the Diego Maradona Stadium this summer.

However, the future of the Super Eagles striker remains unresolved a week before the close of the summer transfer window, with interested clubs baulking at his valuation of 130 million euros. 

In a bid to circumvent Financial Fair Play regulations, the Premier League giants contemplated signing Osimhen on loan with a potential buy option at season's end, with Lukaku permanently moving in the opposite direction.

But the 2015 Fifa U17 World Cup Golden Boot winner was against the idea of joining Chelsea on loan without a mandatory obligation to buy clause included in the deal. 

While Napoli initially wanted to sign Lukaku on loan with an option to buy, Chelsea insisted on the permanent transfer of the Belgian who is surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge and was left out of the traveling squad to the United States for pre-season preparations. 

According to Romano, the new offer from Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna has been accepted by the Londoners.

Chelsea will receive a guaranteed fee of 30 million euros and the transfer fee could rise to €45m with performance-related add-ons included. 

Former Inter Milan and AS Roma center forward Lukaku will sign a three-year contract with Napoli, until June 30, 2027.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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