Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has disclosed that the club opted not to sign Victor Osimhen from Napoli after the striker declined to accept their terms, Soccernet.ng reports.
Chelsea and Osimhen were constantly linked during the just-concluded transfer window, but the deal dragged on and on until the final day of the transfer window.
Recall that Soccernet.ng had reported that the Super Eagles star was demanding a £500,000 weekly wage, which is way above Chelsea’s wage cap.
At the time, Saudi Arabian club Al Ahli were also willing to pay way above that to lure the Nigerian. However, Osimhen was keen on joining Chelsea at the time, but the pay caused the stand-off.
Eventually, both parties failed to agree on a price before the end of the transfer window, ensuring that Osimhen remains a Napoli player.
Speaking on the issue after Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, Maresca confirmed that the transfer fell through due to Osimhen’s demands.
“We want players, but we wanted a player that we decide it has to be on our conditions. If a player is not here then it was not,” Maresca said, per Fabrizio Romano.
Nonetheless, Maresca did not rule out the possibility of signing a new striker in January, which means a move for Osimhen is still possible.
“New striker in January? We will see,” Maresca added.
Currently, it looks bleak for Osimhen, as he has been thrown out of Napoli’s squad, with Antonio Conte confirming that there is no way back for both parties. As it stands, he has to get a new club in the next few weeks.
