Two of Chelsea's more disappointing expenditures could soon be a thing of the past as the club prepares to free up a considerable sum on their wage bill this summer

Romelu Lukaku and Malang Sarr could soon do a great service to Chelsea's summer transfer window - by leaving the club.

The Blues are on the verge of freeing up a little more than PS23million from their wage bill if they can successfully sell the two players. And that appears to be a formality as Lukaku and Sarr near moves to Napoli and Lens, respectively.

It was suggested Lukaku - who is contracted at Chelsea until 2026 but hasn't appeared for the club since May 2022 - might be handed a reprieve under new manager Enzo Maresca. However, it appears a return to Serie A looks most likely after the player reportedly agreed personal terms with Napoli.

That's according to Di Marzio, which suggested the Belgian has given the green light to a three-year deal in Naples worth PS5m per year. That's in stark contrast to the PS16.9m he's been picking up every year since re-signing for Chelsea in 2021, though he's spent the vast majority of his second tenure out on loan.

Sarr, 25, was a highly touted prospect when he arrived at Stamford Bridge from Nice in the summer of 2020. The Blues beat some stiff competition to land the defender, but that investment has been nothing short of catastrophic.

Despite earning more than the likes of Thiago Silva, Cole Palmer and Conor Gallagher last season, Sarr spent the entire campaign training with the club's under-21s. However, L'Equipe has reported he is set to undergo a medical with Lens before signing on a free.

Romelu Lukaku has reportedly agreed personal terms with Napoli ( Image:

Lukaku's departure is slightly more complicated in that Chelsea and Napoli are still yet to reach an agreement over his transfer fee. It's understood the Blues have a PS38m release clause in the 31-year-old's contract but would be willing to sell for PS29.5m.

However, even that fee is believed to be seen as prohibitive by Napoli, who are under new management after Antonio Conte was appointed this summer. Lukaku previously worked under the Italian while on loan at Inter Milan, where they won the Serie A title together in 2021.

Victor Osimhen will be expected to leave the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona this summer - possibly for Chelsea - which would free up the funds for Napoli to buy Lukaku. In any case, it seems more a matter of when the player will leave Chelsea (again), and not if.

Maresca has made a number of signings already this summer, though the club is still waiting for a name boasting any real pedigree. That being said, the departures of Lukaku and Sarr in particular could play a big role in accelerating that kind of business.