DEADLINE DAY: Chelsea confirms DOUBLE transfer signings, registered both for squad ahead of next match - Squad number is confirmed.

 

DEADLINE DAY: Chelsea confirms DOUBLE transfer signings, registered both for squad ahead of next match - Squad number is confirmed.     

 Victor Osimhen's proposed move to Chelsea has taken yet another twist after the forward rejected a wage proposal from the Premier League outfit, according to reports.

It has been reported that the Napoli man has rebuffed an offer worth around €155,000 (£130,000) per week from a Chelsea delegation in Naples - although they are still trying to convince the player to make the move to Stamford Bridge according to journalist Fabrice Hawkins.

The Osimhen saga has rumbled on for much of the window with the striker seemingly out of favour with new Napoli manager Antonio Conte - he is yet to feature for Napoli this season. The Serie A side have already signed Osimhen's replacement, bringing in Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea in a deal worth £30m.

Latest reports from The Athletic suggest Osimhen has been the Blues ‘top target’ but the deal may rely on the 25-year-old agreeing to fit into their team and ‘incentive’ based wage structure. Earlier on transfer deadline day, Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli were touted with a move for the striker but now seem to have decided to move on and pursue the transfer of England striker Ivan Toney.

Osimhen is a proven goalscorer and was a crucial part of Napoli’s Scudetto-winning campaign of 2022/23 when he formed an unstoppable partnership with Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia - the Nigerian netted 26 times in Serie A during the title-winning season. Although last season, he was set back by injuries he still managed to return impressive figures of 15 league goals in 25 appearances for Gli Azzurri.

RMC Sport journalist Hawkins reports that Chelsea are still 'trying to convince' Osimhen to complete the transfer, and that if no agreement is reached then the forward will stay in Italy. That would be something of a surprise given the fact Osimhen started the day with two transfer options to consider.