2 months ago
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Victor Osimhen remains a Napoli player after the European transfer window slammed shut, with Chelsea failing to secure a deal for their long-term target.
The Blues have been repeatedly linked with a move for Osimhen in recent years and, as they have done in previous windows, tried to bring him to Stamford Bridge this summer.
They were chasing a player who has scored 76 goals in 133 appearances for Napoli – helping them lift the Serie A title two years ago – and has 21 goals in 35 games for Nigeria.
Chelsea were keen to secure a deal for Osimhen following Nicolas Jackson’s mixed first season at Stamford Bridge following his £32m move from Villarreal last summer.
Jackson was on target in Chelsea’s 6-2 demolition over Wolves last weekend but there remains doubts over the Senegal striker, who was criticised for his wayward finishing throughout the 2023-24 campaign.
Osimhen has no such problem in front of goal but, somewhat surprisingly, remains at Napoli following the closure of the European transfer window.
Chelsea were still trying to strike a deal with Napoli on deadline day, with a contingent from the Stamford Bridge club situated in Naples in the hope of making a breakthrough.
But the Blues missed out on their long-term target, primarily as Osimhen failed to lower his wage demands enough to meet Chelsea halfway.
It was reported on Friday evening that Chelsea had offered Osimhen a contract worth €155,000-a-week, lower than he is currently on at Napoli.
Osimhen, who also attracted interest from Chelsea’s London rivals Arsenal and clubs in Saudi Arabia, was unwilling to take the pay-cut even though he was said to be dreaming of a move to the Premier League.
As a result Chelsea’s delegation left Napoli disappointed late on Friday evening, with relationships between the parties ‘completely broken’, according to Fabrizio Romano.
A deal for Osimhen also failed to materialise as Chelsea began to prioritise a move for Manchester United flop Jadon Sancho.
More to follow…
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