'He's an excellent player' - Antonio Conte hints at Chelsea striker replacing Osimhen at Napoli 

Napoli's new manager Antonio Conte has confirmed that The Parthenopeans are working on a deal to sign Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku in the summer transfer window. 

The Belgium international returned for a second spell at Chelsea in 2021 but the deal has not worked out for both parties, leading to back-to-back loan spells at Inter Milan and AS Roma.

Conte is targeting a reunion with Lukaku, with whom he worked with at Inter Milan for two seasons, before the cente forward returned to the Premier League. 

In order to facilitate Lukaku's move to the the Diego Maradona Stadium, Napoli have to offload their number 9, Victor Osimhen. 

The reigning African Footballer of the Year has indicated he wants to play in the Premier League but his suitors, including Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United, have been put off by the 130 million euros it will cost to sign him. 

Chelsea have made it clear that Lukaku's £38 million release clause must be met and have dismissed any chance of a loan move.

Lukaku's potential transfer to Napoli could depend on the sale of Osimhen to fund the acquisition of the Belgian striker.

In quotes relayed by Italian transfer market guru Fabrizio Romano, Conte said at Wednesday's press conference: "He's an excellent player, top player. There's nothing else to say.

"You always hope to have a player like Romelu on your side… and not against you."

Osimhen is in Nigeria at the moment and must head back to Napoli for pre-season training next month if his future is still undecided. 

The 25-year-old has 76 goals and 18 assists from 133 all-competition appearances since landing at Napoli from Lille in 2020.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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