Two major reasons Victor Osimhen could not join Chelsea on summer transfer window deadline day have been revealed.
The Nigeria international remains a Napoli player after the European transfer window closed on Friday night.
Chelsea failed to secure a deal for the striker who has been their long-term target.
Osimhen has scored 76 goals in 133 appearances for Napoli and helped the Italian side lift the Serie A title two years ago.
The Blues were keen to sign Osimhen to help improve their attack, with Nicolas Jackson’s first season at the club following his £32m move.
Osimhen, somewhat surprisingly, remains with the former Serie A champions until at least January.
One of the reasons is that the Nigerian refused to lower his wage demands enough to meet Chelsea halfway.
Chelsea, according to reports, offered the player a contract worth €155,000-a-week, which is less than he is currently paid at Napoli and the player was unwilling to take the pay-cut.
As a result, Chelsea’s delegation left Napoli disappointed late on Friday evening.
Fabrizio Romano, Italian football transfer expert, reports that relationships between the parties are ‘completely broken.’
Another reason a deal for Osimhen failed to materialise was because Chelsea began to prioritise a move for Manchester United flop, Jadon Sancho.
Chelsea sensed the possibility of an ‘opportunistic’ move for the England international towards the end of the summer window and reached an agreement with Manchester United shortly before the window shut.
With the non-European transfer window open for another few days, Saudi powerhouse, Al-Ahli could yet secure a deal for Osimhen.
Al-Ahli have agreed a deal with Napoli but Osimhen has shown a reluctance to move there.
L’Equipe reports that the former Lille striker has told Napoli he is no longer willing to play for the Italian club.
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