Victor Osimhen’s potential move to Chelsea is at risk of collapse due to the striker’s alleged significant wage demand of £500,000 a week.
The Nigerian international is looking to leave Napoli this summer, having reportedly handed in a transfer request. His move to Stamford Bridge is contingent upon whether he would be willing to reduce his wage demands.
Paris Saint-Germain are also showing interest in signing the forward, while Arsenal are said to be closely monitoring the situation, hoping to capitalize on any opportunity that arises.
Osimhen, who made the switch from Lille to Napoli in 2020, signed a new contract with the club in December 2023, which saw his monthly salary increase to £1.29 million, nearly double his previous earnings.
This substantial raise was in recognition of his exceptional performance during the 2022/23 season, where he played a pivotal role in Napoli clinching their first Serie A title in 33 years and also secured the league’s top scorer award with 26 goals.
Despite his desire to depart the Diego Maradona Stadium this summer, it has been reported by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano that Victor Osimhen is not willing to take a pay cut to facilitate his move to Chelsea.
Romano suggested earlier this month that discussions could potentially extend to the final week of the transfer window, emphasizing that the future of the Super Eagles striker remains unresolved.
According to The Sun, Osimhen has purportedly requested £500,000-a-week wages from Chelsea. This substantial salary demand may give the Blues a good reason to move on from the 25-year-old striker, especially as they aim to trim their wage bill this season, a factor that contributed to their decision to part ways with Raheem Sterling.
If Chelsea were to accept the striker’s demands, Osimhen would become the highest-earning player in the Premier League.
Despite securing the acquisition of Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid, Chelsea remain in dire need of a potent goal-scoring striker and are intensifying their search with less than a week remaining until the close of the transfer window.
The West London giants have been engaging in extensive negotiations with Napoli and Osimhen’s representatives throughout the summer but have so far failed to reach an agreement.
Initially, they proposed a loan deal to Napoli, as they were unwilling to meet the player’s release clause, which is set at €130 million. But Osimhen reportedly declined it because he wasn’t planning to return to Napoli anytime soon if he leaves them this summer.
Currently, the major obstacle to Osimhen’s move to Chelsea is his £500,000-a-week wage demand, according to the Sun, and that has slowed down discussions between both parties.
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