Napoli lack the funds to sign Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku unless Victor Osimhen is sold 

Chelsea have reportedly informed Napoli that they are looking to sell ​​​​​​​Romelu Lukaku on a permanent deal and not loan him out for a third consecutive season. 

Lukaku spent the whole of the 2022-2023 campaign on loan at Inter Milan and was shipped out to AS Roma for the recently concluded season. 

The release clause of the Belgium international must be activated by an interested club before his departure is rubber-stamped by the Stamford Bridge outfit. 

According to Sky Sports, Chelsea have insisted that Lukaku's £38 million release clause has to be met and have rejected any possibility of a loan move. 

Lukaku's proposed move to Napoli now hinges on whether Victor Osimhen is sold to finance the purchase of the Belgian. 

It was previously suggested that Chelsea were considering signing the Super Eagles striker, who has a release clause of 130 million euros, by using Lukaku as a makeweight in the deal. 

However, the Blues have cooled their interest in the 2015 Fifa U17 World Cup winner as they believe he is being overvalued. 

French champions Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal have also been credited with an interest in Osimhen but Napoli's asking price remains a major stumbling block. 

If Napoli are unable to meet Lukaku's release clause, Chelsea will explore potential interest in the forward from both the Saudi Pro League and other European clubs. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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