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Liam GracePublished Sep 1, 2024, 1:57pm|Updated Sep 1, 2024, 1:58pm
Chelsea have handed striker Nicolas Jackson a new contract extension until 2033 after missing out on a deadline day deal for Napoli star Victor Osimhen.
Osimhen has been dramatically banished from the Napoli first-team after a summer move to Chelsea failed to materialise before Friday’s 11pm deadline.
Chelsea pushed hard to sign Osimhen, but a representative from the club left Naples empty handed, as talks broke down at the last minute over personal terms.
The Blues were unwilling to match Osimhen’s current salary – or the one he has been offered to join Saudi club Al Ahli – and they’re now making alternative plans.
It was reported by The Athletic on Sunday that Chelsea have handed a new deal to their current striker Jackson, with the forward now tied to the Blues until 2033.
Jackson has conjured up 18 goals and seven assists across 47 games for Chelsea since he joined the west London club from Villarreal in the summer of 2023.
Speaking earlier this week, Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca said: ‘I didn’t speak to Nicolas about this (the club’s reported transfer interest in Victor Osimhen).
‘I had a meeting with Nicolas but just about the amount of good things he is doing with us.
‘I don’t think Nicolas needs a chat. He is our nine, our striker in this moment. We are very happy with him.’
Romelu Lukaku’s £30m Chelsea exit confirmed as Antonio Conte hails ‘unique’ star
Meanwhile, Romelu Lukaku’s permanent Chelsea exit was confirmed on Thursday with the ‘unique’ striker joining Antonio Conte’s Napoli.
The Blues have been desperate to offload the Belgium international for a long time and finally managed to get him off the books at Stamford Bridge.
‘What can I say about Romelu,’ Napoli boss Conte said in a press conference after the club announced his arrival on social media.
‘He is a unique centre-forward. Usually the big strikers are a bit slow, or you have to use them as a target in the penalty area, or they don’t have the best legs to exploit the space on the pitch.
‘I have always described Lukaku as an American Football Player, he’s 1.90m tall, but very fast.
‘He is a powerful player, we need someone who can hold it up, bring other players in, find combinations, while also being a player who can attack spaces and cause damage.
‘That’s why I consider him to be unique. Having already said that he’s a good guy, I would put my hand on an open flame for him, and he knows the responsibility that has for me, for Napoli and for the fans.’
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