Former Liverpool player Steve Nicol has admitted he was shocked when he heard Victor Osimhen could join Chelsea on loan from Napoli.
The Blues have held long term interest in the striker, but it was reported earlier this summer that they were no longer pursuing a move due to the cost of the deal and some concerns over his style of play.
Chelsea have been linked with a host of names from across Europe and are thought to have had multiple bids for Samu Omorodion rejected by Atletico Madrid, whilst interest in Jhon Duran and Jonathan David has significantly cooled.
Nicol can’t get his round possible Lukaku and Osimhen swap deal
Despite signing Marc Guiu from Barcelona the Blues are still reportedly in the market for another striker, and have been strongly linked with a move for Osimhen again this week.
It was reported on Tuesday that Chelsea were in discussions with Napoli over a deal for Romelu Lukaku, whilst separate conversations took place over Osimhen being part of the deal, joining on an initial loan with a buy option.
The 25-year-old’s agent came out and shut down rumours of the Nigeria international going on loan anywhere, whilst reports in Italy have suggested Napoli’s starting point is £58m plus Lukaku.
It’s unlikely there will be any quick resolution to this, but when discussing the possible deal Nicol admitted he couldn’t get his head around it.
“I can’t get my head around this,” he told ESPN.
“Osimhen signs a new deal to be nice to the club and then he goes on loan to Chelsea? It doesn’t make sense from Osimhen’s point of view.
“I was shocked when I heard that this could be a loan, I guess it makes sense for both clubs if the money is right, but from his point of view I don’t think I would be particularly keen to go anywhere on loan.”
It will be fascinating to see how this one plays out but if the sporting directors, who have come in for a lot of criticism can pull it off they would certainly deserve all the praise that would come their way.
