Chelsea's Osimhen Chase Stalled by Huge Wage Demands

Chelsea's pursuit of Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has hit a snag due to the player's exorbitant wage demands. Sources suggest the Nigerian international is seeking a weekly salary of £500,000, a figure that would make him the highest-paid player in the Premier League.

The Blues have been in negotiations with Napoli and Osimhen's representatives throughout the summer but have yet to reach a consensus. Their reluctance to meet his asking price stems from a desire to reduce their wage bill, a move that has already seen the likes of Raheem Sterling sidelined.

Chelsea have explored alternative options, including a loan move for Osimhen, but this was rejected by Napoli, who have secured a separate deal worth £38 million for Romelu Lukaku.

Osimhen, 25, is reportedly keen on leaving the Italian club, having submitted a formal transfer request. Paris Saint-Germain are also believed to be interested in the forward.

With Osimhen's demands proving too steep, Chelsea are now exploring cheaper alternatives. Juventus winger Federico Chiesa and Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin are under consideration.

This pursuit comes amidst a busy summer transfer window for Chelsea, who have already brought in 11 new players, including five attackers. However, new manager Enzo Maresca is insistent on adding another striker to his squad.

Despite the focus on attacking additions, Chelsea are also aiming to bolster their defence with another centre-back before the transfer window closes on Friday. However, a priority for the club will be offloading the 20 players who have been deemed surplus to requirements by the Italian manager.

The club's current squad includes two specialist centre-forwards in Nicolas Jackson and new signing Marc Guiu. However, Maresca also has options in the form of Christopher Nkunku and Cole Palmer, who can operate in more advanced positions.

As the transfer deadline approaches, Chelsea's pursuit of a new striker remains a key focus, with the club seeking a balance between ambition and financial prudence. It remains to be seen whether they will secure a suitable player before the end of the week, or if the hunt for a new forward will continue into the next transfer window.