Osimhen’s £500,000-a-Week Wage Demand Stalls Chelsea Transfer

Victor Osimhen’s potential move to Chelsea hits a snag due to his £500,000-a-week wage demand, putting the transfer in doubt despite interest from the Premier League club.

According to Punch Sports Extra, Victor Osimhen’s possible transfer to Chelsea is in danger due to the striker demanding an exorbitant weekly salary of £500,000.

Reportedly, the Nigerian footballer has submitted a transfer request to Napoli and is anticipated to depart from the club during this summer.

Whether he would lower his wage demands will largely determine if he moves to Stamford Bridge.

The forward is being pursued by Paris Saint-Germain, and Arsenal is keeping an eye on the situation in hopes of finally showing their interest.

In 2020, Osimhen moved from Lille to Napoli and in December 2023, he entered into a new contract with the Azzurri that will pay him £1.29 million per month – nearly twice his previous salary.

The Nigerian earned a new salary as recognition for his remarkable achievement in the 2022/23 season. He played an instrumental role, inspiring Napoli to their first Serie A title win after 33 years and also clinching the league’s top scorer award by netting an impressive tally of 26 goals.

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Fabrizio Romano, a dependable transfer specialist claims that Osimhen will not compromise his salary to enable him leave Diego Maradona Stadium for Chelsea this summer despite his eagerness.

Earlier this month, the Italian hinted that negotiations might extend until the final week of the transfer window and there was still no resolution regarding the future of the Super Eagles forward.

The Sun reports that Osimhen has allegedly requested a weekly salary of £500,000 before finalizing his transfer to Chelsea. However, the Blues may be unwilling to meet this demand as they aim to cut their wage expenses for this season. This is also believed to be a contributing factor in the decision to sell Raheem Sterling.

Agreeing to the striker’s demands would result in him becoming the Premier League’s top-earning player, should the London club comply.

Despite securing Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid, Chelsea remains in urgent need of a proficient striker who can ensure consistent goals. They are ramping up their hunt with only one week remaining until the transfer window closes.

Throughout the summer, negotiations between the club and both Napoli and Osimhen’s representatives have been ongoing. However, an agreement has yet to be reached. The initial proposition was a loan deal offered by the club to Napoli; they were not prepared to meet Osimhen’s release clause of €130 million.

Conversations between Osimhen and Chelsea have been cut short due to his £500,000-per-week salary requirement, potentially leading the club to withdraw their interest in signing him.