Chelsea in last-ditch showdown talks to save Osimhen deal
Chelsea are refusing to give up in their chase for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, with Blues officials trying to talk the Nigeria international striker round after he sensationally rejected them.
The Stamford Bridge side have had Osimhen as their leading target for months, yet there has been concerns that they would not be able to afford the Serie A club’s asking price for the player.
While Napoli have eased upon their demands, which were initially set at €130 million for the 25-year-old, and have accepted a loan with obligation to buy, Chelsea are now struggling to agree personal terms with Osimhen, who earns approximately €11m per year in Italy.
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Current ETV
Victor Osimhen
F (C)
Napoli
Victor Osimhen
F (C)
Napoli
ETV Range
€53.3M – €88.9M
In recent days, this has become a greater issue. Reports have indicated that the striker is unwilling to take a wage cut while Chelsea are adamant that Osimhen, who previously agreed to a contract worth €12m per year at PSG, will have to fit into their wage structure.
This appears to be the sticking point. On Thursday evening, it was announced that Osimhen had agreed to join Al-Ahli in a deal worth a total of €160m over four years, though with a release clause in the contract that could see him depart after just a couple for an astonishingly low price of €50m.
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Chelsea refusing to give up Osimhen fight
Chelsea, meanwhile, are trying to salvage the situation, according to Fabrice Hawkins of RMC.
He reports that officials from Stamford Bridge are in Naples “trying to convince Victor Osimhen” to move to the Premier League.
The message from the player, though, remains clear: he will not cut his salary to leave Napoli.
As such, he remains closer to a blockbuster move to the Saudi Pro League, which would see him net four-times the salary he currently earns.
