CHELSEA have reportedly pulled out of negotiations for Victor Osimhen after the Napoli striker demanded staggering wages.
The Super Eagles star is believed to be on his way out of Napoli after both parties agreed last season that he would be allowed to leave if suitors met the €130m inserted into his contract extension.
However, the release clause has been a stumbling block for the clubs interested, especially Paris Saint-Germain, who ended their interest after a player plus cash offer was reportedly rejected by Napoli.
Now, Chelsea, who appear to be the only European club still interested in the prolific Nigeria international, have also been reportedly put off by Osimhen’s salary demands.
According to The Sun, Osimhen is asking for £500,000 per week from Chelsea, which would make the 25-year-old the highest-paid player in the whole of the Premier League.
The English newspaper claims that any deal is ‘being held up by his extraordinary £500,000-a-week demands’, adding that
Chelsea have ‘tried to take Osimhen on loan as they are reluctant to pay his £110million release clause’ but that bid was ‘rejected’ by Napoli.
The Nigeria international is ‘expected to leave the Italian club after submitting a formal transfer request’ but Chelsea are attempting to reduce their wage bill and ‘will not come close to meeting Osimhen’s demands’.
The report adds: “Chelsea are also looking at other strikers, with Juventus’ Federico Chiesa and Everton forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin being considered as cheaper options.”
