Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca reveals why they did not push harder to sign Victor Osimhen from Napoli amid reports of an insulting salary offer. ‘It has to be on our conditions.’
The Blues had been in search of a new striker all summer and were expected to make the bid for the Nigeria international much earlier in the day.
Instead, the negotiations only really started in earnest in the final days of the transfer window and a deal could not be done by the deadline on Friday evening.
“We want players but we want players that we decide and then the condition has to be our condition. So if the players are not here, then that means the conditions were not good for us,” said Maresca in a press conference following today’s Premier League 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace.
The Chelsea manager was asked if the situation could change in January and perhaps they might revisit the Osimhen situation?
“Yeah, we’ll see now, from here to January. I don’t know how many games we have, but I’ve told you many times I like to focus on the next days. So we will see in January.”
Chelsea offer that irritated Osimhen
Sky Sport Italia, the Corriere dello Sport and more have all reported that the main obstacle for Osimhen in Chelsea’s case was the salary structure.
He currently earns over €10m per season at Napoli, whereas Chelsea were only offering €4m in guaranteed pay, plus €2m in performance-related bonuses and €2m if the team qualified for the Champions League.
That is effectively less than half his current salary guaranteed at Stamford Bridge and he found that unacceptable.
Earlier in the day, Osimhen had accepted a €40m per season contract with Al-Ahli, but the Saudi Pro League side backout out when Napoli requested an extra €5m in bonuses.
They had agreed a fee with Napoli worth €70m plus another €10m in add-ons.
Now the player is stranded at Napoli, who have confirmed via Antonio Conte that he is not going to be welcomed back.
Osimhen overplayed his hand, this man has missed too many games in a season to make significant demands.
Prove yourself in the EPl and you will paid, now you’re in limbo with nothing but $$ , reputation tarnished.
You can’t argue vs the advice of god, through the Nigerian pastor.
Greed will kill his career,
Leave Napoli for Chelsea for half his salary? Would you accept the same? It’s easier for you to say GREED WILL KILL HIS CAREER because you have access to the internet, whereas yourself will never accept the same, that’s if you ever have the same opportunity, internet dinosaurs
He made the right choice not accepting Chelsea’s offer, as that was demeaning. But Napoli are the greedy ones for asking the Saudi Club to pay extra 5million. Napoli are the losers here and not Osimhen as the player will still be collecting his salary while the club gets nothing. Osimhen and other Afro an players should learn from the hypocrisy and racism of these European clubs
In such a situation, osimeh cannot be blamed, his present club are greedy by demanding another five million on top, if osimeh should take up the case legally, his club will be ask to pay compasation to osimeh
He made the right choice not accepting Chelsea’s offer, as that was demeaning. But Napoli are the greedy ones for asking the Saudi Club to pay extra 5million. Napoli are the losers here and not Osimhen as the player will still be collecting his salary while the club gets nothing. Osimhen and other African players should learn from the hypocrisy and racism of these European clubs.
Is that why Chelsea should offer him 180,000 from 450,000?
Do the maths, 4m from 10m which is 40% of what he currently earns is 180,000 , why is Chelsea looking for a top striker if they don’t have the intention to pay him reasonably, is it because he is African?
Mumu people will say that he was greedy. For someone in the 8th position for Ballon d’Or and a Scudetto winner are you listening to yourselves?
What has racism got to do with football as mentioned by Ray ?? He was greedy and thought he was the boss in this transfer, so now he is a nobody, no football, no club, yes being paid but now on his own.
Clubs are fond of killing footballers’ careers. Look at Vitor Roque and Barcelona. FIFA should sanction erring clubs. It’s not slave trade.
For the reigning African footballer of the year, Chelsea’s contract terms were unacceptable. They will not treat a European the same way. Everyone can now understand why the likes of Rudiger and Christensen refused to renew their Chelsea contracts. Chelsea is currently spineless. Victor Osimhen will come out of this wiser and stronger. Viva Osimhen!
Selfish Napoli. Let’s see where Napoli would finish this season. . .
Osimhen should wise up go to Saudi and forget about this Europeans clubs. They are noises makers, they only over hype their players with the help of media. Saudi football club is doing fine and they pay well. After all football is all about Money. The career is too short to waits ur time with Chelsea. This show Chelsea is not for you. They will kill your career if u go there.
Chelsea connived with Napoli and frustrated his Saudi move that was concluded hoping at last minute Osimen will sign out of frustration. I saw this long in Conte behaviour and utterances. Napoli is known for destroying carriers of good players that want to leave. Check their history. I was against Osimen last year contract extension even when working environment wss unfavorable. Youthfulness is regret but he will bounce back to glory. History is very important
Let’s see how and where Napoli will finish this season,it is easy to say lukaku scored on his first match at Napoli.let’s see how he will maintain that position.
As for fellow Nigeria fans condemning and criticizing him,even if he decides not to play for any club today he will never come back to their level,Napoli will regret this in time to come.I pray he bounce back stronger and better,I stand with him and every decision he made.
Chelsea! Has any other club apart from Psg and Roma obviously , spent as much as these clowns to gain such mediocre results.
@Ray , you think giving people the opportunity to kick a ball for millions a year is racist ? Genius!
He is to be blamed for agreeing new contract last season when he could have left. He wanted more money and this time it didn’t work
@Brian and 1900. If it’s not racism, what else would you call that demeaning treatment? Can they treat an European player that way? Let’s call a spade a spade.