Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku is expected to complete a deal with Napoli, according to reports. The 31-year-old Belgium international has been a target for Chelsea to sell this summer, with Napoli the clear favorite to buy him for most of the transfer season. All sides involved are optimistic that an agreement can be reached, and it is said that Napoli’s officials will visit London within the next 24 hours.
Lukaku allegedly expressed a strong desire to return to Italy, where he played on loan for AS Roma the previous season and scored 21 goals in all competitions. The Belgian striker, who used to play for Manchester United, has a contract with Chelsea that runs until 2026, so the Blues are under pressure to let him go this summer before his value drops the next year when he will only have a year left on it. According to reports, Napoli is offering €25 million plus bonuses.
Victor Osimhen of Napoli is reportedly a target for Chelsea as well, as the West London team is keen to expand their alternatives for forwards. It appears unlikely that the Nigerian international will be involved in the deal between the two clubs for Lukaku, though, as no trade has materialized thus far.
TeamTalk reports that Chelsea is considering a possible trade for Jadon Sancho, who plays as a winger for Manchester United. Sancho is expected to continue at Old Trafford, but the Red Devils may be persuaded to split ways with the 24-year-old if they receive an offer of around £35 million. According to the source, Chelsea is thinking about making a late move for Sancho; however, this depends on the Blues’ outgoings.
The Telegraph claims that Nottingham Forest is getting close to securing a deal for Arsenal forward Eddie Nketiah. It appears that the 25-year-old will now leave the north London team after being strongly linked to a summer transfer away from the Emirates Stadium. Forest is reportedly nearing completion on a £30 million transaction.
Australia’s young international Thomas Waddingham is up for grabs from Championship rivals Stoke City and Hull City, according to TeamTalk. With just one goal separating him from Nestory Irankunda, who broke the record for the most goals scored by a teenager in a single A-League campaign last season, the striker has been making headlines at Brisbane Roar. These heroics won Irankunda a transfer to Bayern Munich, and now Stoke and Hull are looking to 19-year-old Waddingham to help them with their scoring problems.
