“I want to join them” Victor Osimhen issues ‘crazy demand’ to join Chelsea from Napoli

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Chelsea’s High-Stakes Pursuit of Napoli’s Victor Osimhen

Chelsea might need to dig deep into their coffers to secure Napoli’s star striker Victor Osimhen before the summer transfer window closes. Reports indicate that Osimhen is aiming to become the highest-paid player in the Premier League if he makes the move to Stamford Bridge, but both Napoli’s and the player’s demands have complicated negotiations.

Chelsea’s Summer Transfer Efforts

Enzo Maresca, Chelsea’s head coach, has been busy this summer, bringing in five new attacking players, with the most recent being Joao Felix, who returned from Atletico Madrid for £46 million. Despite these additions, Maresca is reportedly eager to add another natural striker to his squad, which currently includes only Nicolas Jackson and 18-year-old summer signing Marc Guiu as options for the role.

Challenges in Signing Osimhen

According to reports, Chelsea has been working hard to lure Osimhen to Stamford Bridge, but they’ve encountered several obstacles. Napoli has already turned down a season-long loan proposal, as Chelsea is hesitant to trigger the 25-year-old’s £110 million release clause.

However, the transfer fee isn’t the only issue. Osimhen’s salary demands are also a significant barrier. The Nigerian striker is reportedly seeking a £500,000-per-week contract, which would make him the highest-paid player in the Premier League, surpassing the current top earners, Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland, who earn £400,000 and £375,000 per week, respectively.

Financial Concerns and Alternative Options

Chelsea is currently focused on reducing their wage bill, which makes meeting Osimhen’s demands even more challenging. The club has already moved to offload players like Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell to balance their finances.

Given these hurdles, Chelsea has identified alternative striker options in case they’re unable to sign Osimhen. One target was Atletico Madrid’s Samu Omorodion, but a potential £35 million transfer collapsed at the final stages, and he has since joined Porto for £13 million. Other names on Chelsea’s shortlist reportedly include Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Juventus’ Federico Chiesa, both of whom are expected to leave their clubs in the near future.

Potential Defensive Reinforcements

In addition to pursuing a new striker, Chelsea may also be looking to strengthen their defense before the transfer window closes. Maresca is said to be interested in adding another center-back, with Tosin Adarabioyo from Fulham being a potential target on a free transfer.

Balancing the Squad

While Chelsea is keen to bring in new talent, their top priority remains offloading more players after Romelu Lukaku’s departure. This move is crucial to trimming down a bloated squad and reducing the overall wage bill. With the transfer deadline fast approaching, Chelsea faces a delicate balancing act as they try to strengthen their squad while managing their finances.