Victor Osimhen’s potential move to Chelsea is reportedly in jeopardy due to the Nigerian striker’s substantial wage demand of £500,000 per week. This figure is proving to be a significant stumbling block in negotiations between Chelsea and Osimhen, who is looking to leave Napoli this summer after allegedly submitting a transfer request.
The 25-year-old striker has attracted interest from other top European clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal, who are closely monitoring the situation. Despite his desire to join Chelsea, Osimhen is reportedly unwilling to lower his wage demands, complicating the deal.
Osimhen, who transferred from Lille to Napoli in 2020, signed a new contract with Napoli in December 2023, boosting his monthly salary to £1.29 million in recognition of his outstanding performance during the 2022/23 season. That season, he was instrumental in Napoli winning their first Serie A title in 33 years and finished as the league’s top scorer with 26 goals.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has noted that discussions regarding Osimhen’s future could extend into the final week of the transfer window. However, the player’s £500,000-a-week wage demand, as reported by The Sun, may push Chelsea to reconsider the move, especially as they aim to reduce their overall wage bill, a factor that contributed to the departure of Raheem Sterling.
If Chelsea were to agree to Osimhen’s demands, he would become the highest-paid player in the Premier League. Despite already securing Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid, Chelsea’s urgent need for a reliable goal scorer remains, with the transfer window quickly closing.
Chelsea has been engaged in extensive negotiations with Napoli and Osimhen’s representatives throughout the summer but has yet to reach an agreement. Initially, they proposed a loan deal due to their reluctance to meet the player’s €130 million release clause. However, Osimhen reportedly rejected this option, indicating his intention not to return to Napoli if he leaves this summer.
The wage issue remains the primary obstacle, slowing down discussions between Chelsea and Osimhen as the transfer deadline approaches.