The two reasons Chelsea failed to sign Victor Osimhen on transfer deadline day

Victor Osimhen remains a Napoli player after the European transfer window slammed shut, with Chelsea failing to secure a deal for their long-term target.

The Blues have been repeatedly linked with a move for Osimhen in recent years and, as they have done in previous windows, tried to bring him to Stamford Bridge this summer.

They were chasing a player who has scored 76 goals in 133 appearances for Napoli – helping them lift the Serie A title two years ago – and has 21 goals in 35 games for Nigeria.

Chelsea were keen to secure a deal for Osimhen following Nicolas Jackson’s mixed first season at Stamford Bridge following his £32m move from Villarreal last summer.

Jackson was on target in Chelsea’s 6-2 demolition over Wolves last weekend but there remains doubts over the Senegal striker, who was criticised for his wayward finishing throughout the 2023-24 campaign.

Osimhen has no such problem in front of goal but, somewhat surprisingly, remains at Napoli following the closure of the European transfer window.

Chelsea were still trying to strike a deal with Napoli on deadline day, with a contingent from the Stamford Bridge club situated in Naples in the hope of making a breakthrough.

But the Blues missed out on their long-term target, primarily as Osimhen failed to lower his wage demands enough to meet Chelsea halfway.

It was reported on Friday evening that Chelsea had offered Osimhen a contract worth €155,000-a-week, less than he is currently paid at Napoli.

Osimhen, who also attracted interest from Chelsea’s London rivals Arsenal and clubs in Saudi Arabia, was unwilling to take the pay-cut even though he was said to be dreaming of a move to the Premier League.

As a result Chelsea’s delegation left Napoli disappointed late on Friday evening, with relationships between the parties ‘completely broken’, according to Fabrizio Romano.

A deal for Osimhen also failed to materialise as Chelsea began to prioritise a move for Manchester United flop Jadon Sancho.

Chelsea sensed the possibility of an ‘opportunistic’ move for Sancho towards the end of the summer window and reached an agreement with Manchester United shortly before the window shut.

Arsenal were also linked with a move for Osimhen as a possible upgrade on current first-choice striker Kai Havertz but decided against launching an official move.

With the non-European transfer window open for another few days, Saudi powerhouse Al-Ahli could yet secure a deal for Osimhen.

They agreed a deal with Napoli last week but the striker has shown a reluctance to move there, though that stance could well now change now a move to England is off the table.

L’Equipe say Osimhen has told Napoli he is no longer willing to play for the Italian cub after a summer move to the Premier League fell through, effectively going on strike.

Speaking on deadline day, ex-England star Jamie Redknapp said Chelsea target Osimhen would have been ‘perfect’ for the English top-flight.

‘He’s been fantastic for Napoli, certainly a couple of years ago when they won the league,’ Redknapp told Sky Sports.

‘With Chelsea, you just don’t know, they’ve got Jackson there but It feels like they haven’t quite got the trust in him.

‘I would love to see Osimhen in the Premier League, I think he’d be perfect for it, his qualities – they would be ideal.’

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