Wenslus Murape
CHELSEA’S bid to sign Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is being held up by his extraordinary £500,000-a-week demands.
SunSport understands the Nigerian international is asking for a wage packet which would make him the highest paid player in the Premier League.
Chelsea have been negotiating with Napoli and Osimhen’s representatives for most of the summer, but have yet to reach an agreement.
Blues have tried to take Osimhen on loan as they are reluctant to pay his £110million release clause.
That loan proposal was rejected by Napoli, who have agreed a separate £38m deal to sign Romelu Lukaku.
Osimhen, 25, is expected to leave the Italian club after submitting a formal transfer request, with Paris Saint Germain also interested.
Chelsea are working hard to reduce their wage bill.
That is one of the reasons why the likes of Raheem Sterling have been exiled.
And the Blues will not come close to meeting Osimhen’s demands.
Chelsea are also looking at other strikers, with Juventus’ Federico Chiesa and Everton forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin being considered as cheaper options.
Samu Omorodion, who Chelsea were on the verge of signing earlier this month from Atletico Madrid, has joined Porto.
Chelsea have already brought in five attacking players from a total of 11 new signings this summer, but new manager Enzo Maresca is adamant he wants one more striker.
Nicolas Jackson and new signing Marc Guiu are the only specialist number nines in his squad.
Although Christopher Nkunku and Cole Palmer are capable of playing in an advanced role.
Maresca also wants Chelsea to sign another centre-back before the transfer window shuts on Friday.
But the club’s priority during a fraught week will be offloading the majority of the 20 players the Italian has banished from his squad. — Sun.
Online Reporter