'Lukaku is Lukaku' - Ex-Italy striker reckons Chelsea striker would be an ideal replacement for Osimhen

Retired Italy international striker Andrea Carnevale reckons Chelsea attacker Romelu Lukaku would be an ideal replacement for Victor Osimhen, should the latter depart Napoli this summer.

The Nigerian striker has made up his mind to leave the Italian giants and is reportedly ready to force a move with PSG lurking around to grasp his signature.

The French giants remain the only genuine top European club interested in his services at the moment but will need to sell either Randal Kolo Muani or Gonçalo Ramos before pursuing a deal for the world class forward.

Napoli are also ready to let the Super Eagles striker leave but on their terms with the club insisting that his €130m release clause must be paid.

They have already lined up Lukaku as his replacement with the Belgian striker working previously under their new boss Antonio Conte at Inter Milan.

Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport via Tuttomercatoweb on the Chelsea striker replacing Osimhen, Carnevale believes the former will be a good addition for Napoli despite being older than the latter.

"Victor is five years younger. However, in terms of offensive guarantee, I don't see a big difference," Carnevale explained.

"Romelu has the numbers to make people forget Osimhen. Lukaku is Lukaku, if he is well, he can still do two or three years at a high level.

"He's not that young anymore but we're talking about a top player. Osi is devastating in depth, in the open field he's a gazelle, he becomes uncatchable.

"But Lukaku is more of a team player, and with Conte he can return to great levels."

Lukaku is a proven Serie A forward, having notched 70 goals in the 129 appearances in the division but will be trying to fill a big shoe by joining Napoli.

Osimhen helped the Naples-based club end their 33-year drought for the Scudetto and fans will be hoping the Belgium-born forward can replicate same.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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