Antonio Conte &#8211; CaughtOffside

Man United struggling to sell 30-year-old first-teamer due to £120k-per week wages

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A transfer is dependant on Victor Osimhen leaving, but so far no clubs are willing to pay his £113m release clause, and Napoli are still looking at solutions for the Nigerian’s exit.

Chelsea will obviously want as close to the exit clause as possible, but a bigger bonus for them will be getting the striker’s wages off the books, which are believed to be in excess of £300,000 per week.

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Chelsea’s pursuit of Victor Osimhen likely to be revived after latest news

Jason Pettigrove — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 05:48:31 +0000

Chelsea will be determined to hit the ground running this season under Enzo Maresca.

The pressure on the Italians shoulders is likely to be almost intolerable given the evident need for league and cup success for the club’s owners, something that was seemingly beyond Mauricio Pochettino and Graham Potter, not that either were really given the time to put their methods into practice.

Just when Poch was getting things right, a decision to part by mutual consent was made.

Thomas Tuchel was also swiftly dismissed by Todd Boehly, who had evidently decided it was time for a change soon after taking over as owner of the club.

From Maresca’s point of view, the strength of the club’s transfer window this summer is likely to have a marked effect on how well Chelsea do in the first half of the campaign, which will also have a direct correlation to the manager’s own position.

One player that the Blues are known to have had in their sights for a while now is Napoli’s brilliant hit-man, Victor Osimhen.

Victor Osimhen deal could be revived by Chelsea

With a reported £113m release clause (The Standard), Osimhen’s hire by Chelsea would’ve seen them almost certainly at the top of the spending charts again, however, more recently the player has edged nearer to a move to Paris Saint-Germain.

It isn’t clear if the structure of the deal is what had seen PSG move ahead of the Blues in the race to bag the 25-year-old, however, there may yet be hope for Boehly and Co.

??? Negotiations between PSG and Napoli for Osimhen, not advancing after recent talks.

PSG rejected to include Kang-in Lee in the deal and will not trigger release clause as Napoli wanted.

Deal NOT happening under these conditions.

PSG also happy with Ramos & Kolo Muani. pic.twitter.com/R46085YcyQ

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 22, 2024

According to a post on X (formerly Twitter) from CaughtOffside columnist and transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, talks between the French giants and their Italian counterparts have stalled.

That could see Boehly revive Chelsea’s interest in a player who would be the perfect replacement for Romelu Lukaku – the Belgian surely going the other way as part of any deal.

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Exclusive: Antonio Conte activates Chelsea link after meeting held with ‘phenomenal’ ex-Blues star

Farrell Keeling — Sun, 21 Jul 2024 08:59:29 +0000

Antonio Conte is now understood have identified Brighton & Hove Albion’s Billy Gilmour as a key target this summer.

The Italian giants have already seen an offer worth £8m rejected by the Seagulls for the former Chelsea midfielder.

The 2022/23 title-winners won’t back down after falling at the initial hurdle, however, and sources close to CaughtOffside claim a further bid in the region of £10-11m is being planned.

Conte’s Chelsea link could prove pivotal

Gilmour during his Chelsea days – (Photo by DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images)

There was some overlap during Conte’s time in charge of the Stamford Bridge-based outfit and the Scottish star’s stint in West London. Albeit, the ‘technically phenomenal’ player (in the view of Pat Nevin with the Press and Journal) was, then, only a youth option playing for the U18s.

Nonetheless, it would seem that the now 23-year-old made something of a lasting impression on his old boss. His performances on the South Coast likewise are sure to have impressed as he featured on 41 occasions (across all competitions) last term.

Sources with an understanding of the situation have informed CaughtOffside that the Italian head coach has met with Gilmour to persuade him to make a move to Naples.

The Brighton man is thought to be keen on a transfer to the Serie A this summer, with personal terms not considered a serious obstacle.

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Chelsea’s plans in tatters as Blues all set to lose out on main summer transfer target

Jason Pettigrove — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 05:38:18 +0000

Chelsea’s summer transfer plans are set to take an unexpected twist, with the Blues potentially missing out on their main target.

Since Todd Boehly took over at Stamford Bridge, no player has been out of reach for the club, no matter what the cost.

Indeed, aside from any of the other transfers made, Boehly broke the British transfer record twice with moves for Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo.

Victor Osimhen to move to PSG not Chelsea

It was very much a case of what Boehly wants, Boehly gets.

However, Napoli ace, Victor Osimhem, a long-term target for the West London club’s owner, now appears to be moving towards a switch to Paris Saint-Germain (TeamTalk).

Now that ex-Ligue Un and PSG hot shot, Kylian Mbappe, has moved on to Real Madrid, the French giants need a big name to satisfy those fans desperate to see the club land a coveted Champions League title.

Victor Osimhen looks set to move to PSG rather than Chelsea

Osimhen’s star has waned a little since showing the form that helped land Napoli a first Scudetto in three decades, though he remains a deadly marksman.

In a poor Napoli side in 2023/24, he still managed to plunder 17 goals and three assists (WhoScored).

It’s no wonder Chelsea were interested, but their apparent reticence to meet Napoli’s demands on Osimhen’s sale price has let in PSG.

Although there is a small silver lining in that Romelu Lukaku will leave Chelsea for Napoli once Osimhen has departed, the fact that the latter will likely be moving to Paris rather than London will undoubtedly stick in Boehly’s craw and dent his ego.

If new manager, Enzo Maresca, were thinking of building his new squad around the Nigerian too, he’ll need to think again, and Chelsea’s long-suffering supporters are unlikely to be excited by the prospect of a front line that includes Nicolas Jackson and Armando Broja.

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31-year-old Chelsea star wants to work with former Blues boss again

Darren Looney — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 21:48:18 +0000

Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku wants to work with Antonio Conte again as the Belgian gives Napoli priority to complete a deal this summer.

The 31-year-old is set ot leave Stamford Bridge ahead of the new season, putting an end to a miserable second stint with the London club having returned in 2021. The former Inter star spent the 2022/23 season on loan in Milan and then with Roma during the most recent campaign.

Lukaku looks set to permanently depart Chelsea during the current transfer window and according to Fabrizio Romano, the Belgium international has given priority to Napoli to get a deal done.

The striker wants to work with Conte once again having experienced great success together at Inter. The Italian coach is also keen to have Lukaku as part of his Napoli project as the former Chelsea manager looks to return the Naples outfit back to the top of Serie A during his first season.

Napoli are ready to complete a deal for the Blues striker, but the transfer depends on the future of Victor Osimhen.

Romelu Lukaku in action for Chelsea

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Romelu Lukaku’s future is in the hands of Victor Osimhen

Osimhen is expected to leave Napoli this summer having attracted the interest of many clubs around Europe. Paris Saint-Germain are very keen on the Nigeria star as the Ligue 1 club may be the only team capable of paying his €130m release clause.

According to L’Équipe, the French champions have no intention of paying this fee and hope to negotiate a lower price with Napoli as they look to replace Kylian Mbappe.

This could threaten a transfer and that would mean that Osimhen stays in Naples for at least another season.

This would leave Lukaku to look elsewhere ahead of the 2024/25 campaign as it remains to be seen where the Belgian striker takes his career next.

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Top European manager wants to partner Man Utd & Chelsea stars in potential double transfer

Mark Brus — Sun, 14 Jul 2024 13:30:32 +0000

Napoli manager Antonio Conte is reportedly keen to strengthen his attack with the transfers of Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood and Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku.

The Italian tactician has only recently taken over at Napoli, having previously worked with Lukaku at Inter Milan, and it could be that we’ll now see the pair cross paths again this summer.

According to Todo Fichajes, Conte’s dream is to have both Lukaku and Greenwood up front together at his new club, though of course it remains to be seen how realistic an idea this is.

Napoli might feel they will be able to cash in on star striker Victor Osimhen soon, and that would then give them potentially a lot to spend on new signings up front.

Greenwood and Lukaku are two players likely to be available this summer, for different reasons, so it will be intriguing to see if we do end up getting a look at this partnership.

Romelu Lukaku to Napoli?

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Why Greenwood and Lukaku transfers make sense for Napoli

Greenwood is surely out of the first-team picture at Man Utd now after being arrested and then suspended by the club in 2022, while he spent last season out on loan at La Liga side Getafe.

It’s hard to imagine the Red Devils being prepared to deal with the kind of backlash they could get if they gave him another chance in their first-team, so a sale makes sense for them, also partly because it could represent significant profit on a homegrown player.

Mason Greenwood to Napoli?

Lukaku, meanwhile, has flopped at Chelsea and it makes sense that they want to offload him now after loan spells at Inter and Roma.

The Belgium international has played well under Conte in the past, so it could be good business for Napoli to deliver this as one of their main signings for their new manager this summer.

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Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku’s Napoli switch hinges on Osimhen move

Jason Pettigrove — Sat, 13 Jul 2024 05:41:33 +0000

There hasn’t been much in the way of updates lately concerning Chelsea’s out-of-favour striker, Romelu Lukaku.

The Belgian enjoyed a fruitful campaign at AS Roma last season, scoring 21 goals and providing four assists for the Giallorossi, per WhoScored.

Despite being 31 years of age, it’s clear that the hit-man has lost none of his abilities in front of goal, and that largely explains why his former manager at Inter Milan, Antonio Conte, wants to rekindle the working relationship at Napoli.

Lukaku and Osimhen moves inextricably linked

At present, however, the issue for the Partnopei is being able to move Victor Osimhen on.

Only a few months ago the Nigerian was being touted as one of the most in-form strikers in world football, and though he managed 17 goals and three assists in 2023/24 (WhoScored), there appears to have been a significant drop off in his form more generally, hence the rumours surrounding him quietening down.

Victor Osimhen’s move could be key to Napoli landing Romelu Lukaku.

Indeed, as Sky Sports note, Osimhen still wants to move to remain in Europe and play Champions League football, but the strongest interest is coming from Saudi Arabia.

The outlet suggest that Lukaku’s move is likely to be conditioned by what happens next with Osimhen, so both players are going to need to sit tight in the interim period in the hope that the movers and shakers on both deals can get them over the line.

From Lukaku’s point of view, Saudi Arabia certainly remains an option for him, and being that much older than Osimhen, such a switch could make sense if Napoli are unable to get the deal done for any reason.

It’s clear the Belgian would prefer to link up with Conte again, however, perhaps for the simple fact that the manager has got the best out of him, and will likely use him as the focal point of the team.

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The reason why Chelsea target Victor Osimhen will start pre-season training with Napoli

Jason Pettigrove — Thu, 04 Jul 2024 05:05:49 +0000

Napoli’s Victor Osimhen has long been rumoured to be a target for Chelsea amongst other Premier League clubs.

The 25-year-old Nigerian bagged a reasonably impressive 17 goals and three assists (WhoScored) in an underperforming Napoli side last season, nowhere close to the output of the previous campaign when his name seemed to be making the rounds in the transfer gossip columns almost daily.

As Football Italia note, there remains a €130m release clause for a player that’s approaching his prime as a footballer, and it would appear that the Partnopei aren’t keen to negotiate down on that price.

No bids for Victor Osimhen

With Antonio Conte soon to start work as first-team coach, this potentially complicates things for the player, as the legendary Italian is unlikely to accede to his sale unless he knows he’s able to buy a reasonable replacement – Romelu Lukaku for example.

The summer transfer window has only just opened and so there is plenty of time to get a deal done, however, given the expected level of interest, it’s odd that no clubs have sought to already secure Osimhen’s services.

Victor Osimhen has long been a target for Chelsea

Indeed, the reason why there has been no movement whatsoever at this point is because not a single offer has been received by the Serie A club for the player.

As such, this means that Osimhen, despite appearing to want to continue his football career elsewhere, will be forced to join Napoli’s pre-season training which begins on July 11.

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If there is no further interest at the price quoted, the striker faces the prospect of continuing his career with his current club.

To motivate him after such a disappointment would arguably be Conte’s first big task, however, Osimhen will surely be counting on an agreement being found before the window slams shut once again.

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Top Serie A boss labels Chelsea forward an “excellent player” as Italians eye summer move

Darren Looney — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 16:49:48 +0000

The future of Romelu Lukaku remains uncertain as the Belgian star is set to leave Chelsea ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

The striker rejoined the Blues during the summer of 2021 as part of a massive £97.5m deal with Inter Milan. That transfer has not worked out and the former Man United star has spent the last two seasons out on loan.

Lukaku spent the 2022/23 season back at Inter and the current campaign saw the 31-year-old play his football with Roma. None of these clubs are looking to sign Lukaku this summer as Chelsea look to part ways with the forward.

Napoli are one team looking into a move for the Belgium international this summer as Conte has previously worked with the player at Inter. The Naples-based side will need to part ways with £38m for the Chelsea striker according to reports, and the Blues are determined to not budge from that asking price.

Conte has now added to these rumours with his recent comments on Lukaku as the Italian coach was full of praise for the 31-year-old.

“He’s an excellent player, top player. There’s nothing else to say,” the Napoli coach said via Fabrizio Romano when asked about Lukaku moving to Naples.

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

Could Romelu Lukaku move to Napoli this summer?

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