Chelsea plan January Victor Osimhen move and expect Romelu Lukaku summer sale - Paper Round

Chelsea are looking to sell Romelu Lukaku next summer as they hope to sign Napoli striker Victor Osimhen this winter.

The Mirror states: “Chelsea are finally optimistic they will net a credible fee for Romelu Lukaku next summer as they prepare to explore a January deal for Victor Osimhen.

“The Belgian frontman has netted three goals in four starts under Jose Mourinho, who is enduring the worst start to a season of his managerial career, since joining the Giallorossi on a straight loan in the final 48 hours of the transfer window.

“Although the deal does not include an option or obligation to buy - Chelsea are encouraged by Lukaku's recent upturn in form following his return to Italy and there is positivity they will finally be able to move him on at the end of the season. Chelsea have struggled to find a permanent buyer for their £97.5 million flop, who was made to train away from Mauricio Pochettino's first-team squad in pre-season before a last-ditch intervention from Roma in late August.

“Osimhen is now understood to be looking for a way out of Napoli, who were threatened with legal action earlier this week by the Nigeria international's agent following an offensive post that was shared on the club's TikTok. Although Napoli have since issued an apologetic statement, relations between the club and player appear to be damaged beyond repair.”

With Roy Hodgson likely to step down at Crystal Palace in the summer, The Sun reports that the club have identified Paulo Fonseca as a potential replacement.

“Crystal Palace have put Portuguese coach Paulo Fonseca on their radar as the long-term successor to Roy Hodgson,” the paper states.

“The Eagles will wait for the right time to move for the highly-rated Lille boss, who was on their hit list before they picked Patrick Vieira in July 2021.

“Hodgson, 76, agreed to stay on for this season but Palace are already working out a plan for when he finally leaves.

“Fonseca, 50, is keen to come to the Prem.

“Ipswich chief Kieran McKenna is also on the shortlist at Selhurst Park.”

Spanish newspaper Marca claims that Real Madrid lost Karim Benzema a year early, but they have money earmarked for one of Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland next summer.

The outlet explains: “Real Madrid's plans certainly did not include going into the season with Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, Joselu and Brahim as their only strikers for the season. The plan drawn up in March and April counted on Benzema as the main centre-forward position and on covering the three departures that could occur in the summer: Asensio, Mariano and Hazard.

“Brahim was chosen to play the role of Marco, and for the replacements for Mariano and Hazard (if these exits were to happen, which there were doubts about) there were several names on the table, with Joselu and Arda Guler eventually being chosen.

“The club were clear that this would be their attack and that the star signing of the season would be Jude Bellingham, a signing that began to simmer more than a year ago and which required a significant financial effort.

“It eventually cost more than 100 million euros. The club had chosen Bellingham and there was no money for another player of that stature. Above all, because the big money was (and is) ready for the summer of 2024 with Kylian Mbappe or Erling Haaland to be targeted. The club was counting on Benzema's departure in 2024 and not in 2023, so it had not budgeted for the signing of a big striker for this season.”

Brighton are the latest side to join the hunt for Nico Williams as his contract runs down.

“The 21-year-old has become one of the most prized talents in La Liga due to his performances for the Basque club since making his first team debut in April of 2021,” the Mail writes.

“Brighton have entered the race to bring Williams to the Premier League, with Liverpool and Man United also keeping tabs on the winger.

“Williams has just twelve months remaining on his current deal at the San Mames Stadium, and the club could look to cash in on their academy graduate to prevent him leaving on a free.

“Barcelona are reportedly interesting in signing Williams in the summer if his contract is to expire, but Bilbao are said to be prepared to allow him to leave for a cut-price fee of £26m should a team come in for him during the January window.”