Napoli want Lukaku as part of Osimhen transfer to Chelsea – Paper Round

Napoli and Chelsea discuss Lukaku-Osimhen swap

Napoli are willing to discuss the potential of signing Romelu Lukaku as part of talks with Chelsea over Victor Osimhen, the Guardian reports. Lukaku is set to return to Chelsea training this week after two seasons on loan in Serie A at Inter and Roma.

But a swift return to Italy could soon be on the cards, with Lukaku among the players to have not travelled to the US for Chelsea’s pre-season tour.

The Guardian adds: “Lukaku has two years of his contract remaining after re-signing for a club record £97.5m in 2021 and has reportedly agreed a three-year deal with Napoli. However Chelsea are believed to be holding out for about £30m and remain in negotiations with the Italian club, who must sell Osimhen to fund moves in the market.

“Paris Saint-Germain had been considered the frontrunners to sign the Nigeria striker but talks with Napoli are believed to have stalled. Napoli’s president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, has set a release clause of about €130m (£110m) for Osimhen, who has been training separately from the rest of Antonio Conte’s squad and is yet to feature in their pre-season games.”

Man Utd favour new a100,000 stadium

Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe favours building a new stadium that would be 100,000 in capacity, multiple outlets including the Guardian have reported.

Rebuilding Old Trafford remains another option, but Ratcliffe and his team could soon submit plans to build near their current stadium, with construction of a new ground likely to cost £2bn and last six years.

The Guardian adds: “A prime consideration in the build’s aesthetic would be that it is recognisably in the club’s image. The other option is a rebuild of Old Trafford but this would mean a marked drop in revenue because sections of the ground would be closed while being revamped or United would have to play elsewhere while work is taking place.

“Collette Roche, United’s chief operating officer, is leading the project for Ratcliffe, the minority shareholder who is in charge of football operations. She has visited a number of the world’s leading stadiums and consulted owners or those principally involved in a venue’s genesis. This has included discussions with Real Madrid executives regarding the reconfiguration of the Santiago Bernabéu, which began in 2019 and is nearing completion, and there has been an in-depth assessment of SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Los Angeles County.”

Smith Rowe set to leave Arsenal

Fulham have agreed to sign Emile Smith Rowe from Arsenal, the Mirror reports. The £34m deal would be a club record for Fulham, and spell the end of the midfielder’s career at Arsenal after 14 years.

Smith Rowe has struggled for game time under Mikel Arteta, and the 24-year-old is set to leave the club he has played for since he was 10.

The Mirror adds: “The 24-year-old has already agreed personal terms and he’s hoping to join up with his new Fulham team-mates at their pre-season training camp in Portugal once he completes his medical.

“Fulham will stump up an initial £27m with a further £7m to be paid in add-ons. Smith Rowe has been in the USA as Arsenal prepare for the upcoming Premier League season but he didn’t play a single minute of their first two friendlies due to the uncertainty surrounding his future.

“Smith Rowe’s departure won’t leave Arteta short for numbers, as the Gunners announced on Monday that they’d signed centre-back Riccardo Calafiori. The 22-year-old Italy international joins from Bologna for £42m.”

Steve Bruce to Jamaica?

Steve Bruce could return to management after entering talks to become Jamaica’s head coach, the Mail reports. The 63-year-old has not been in the dugout since he was sacked by West Brom in October 2022, but the former Newcastle and Aston Villa boss may now move to the Caribbean.

The Mail adds: “A decision is expected within the next 10 days and the former Manchester United defender is a ‘serious contender’, sources have disclosed.

“The Reggae Boyz have been without a boss since Heimir Hallgrímsson resigned at the end of last month.

“Bruce, who has previously said that he is itching to get back into football, has managed more than 1,000 games at 12 clubs.”