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CHELSEA are set to miss out on Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, according to reports.
The Serie A club are inches away from agreeing a £55m package with Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia, who are run by a former Chelsea Chief Executive.
Alamy
Ron Gourlay, who worked as CEO under Roman Abramovich between 2009 and 2014, has seemingly stepped on the toes of his former club.
Al Ahli have been under Gourlay’s direction since January 2024 and are pushing hard to nab Osimhen from Chelsea’s path.
The deal is “almost done, pending small details”, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
The PIF backed outfit can likely afford Osimhen’s extraordinary £500,000 per-week salary demands.
But if the deal is agreed, Osimhen will need to sign off on personal terms, but the Nigerian international prefers a move to a European club.
Osimhen was left out of Napoli’s squad for their 3-0 win over Bologna on Sunday, with Antonio Conte close to reuniting with Chelsea reject Romelu Lukaku.
Chelsea have been negotiating with Napoli and Osimhen’s representatives all summer, but have failed to reach an agreement.
Stamford Bridge chiefs are working hard to reduce their huge wage bill and are not willingly to pay Osimhen an extortionate salary.
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Chelsea’s bid to sign Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is being held up by his extraordinary £500,000-a-week demands, SunSport can exclusively reveal.
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But while they’ve exiled the likes of Raheem Sterling, the Blues remain interested in bolstering their forward options.
Chelsea want to sign an out-and-out No9 before the end of the Friday’s window, with Brentford’s Ivan Toney, 28, identified.
The club – who beat Wolves 6-2 on Sunday – are also reportedly interested in a swap deal for Manchester United outcast Jadon Sancho.
And Di Marzio claims Chelsea outcasts Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell are of interest to the Red Devils.
While Everton star Dominic Calvert-Lewin, 27, and RB Leipzig Benjamin Sesko, 21, have been linked with a move to West London.
Todd Boehly already bought 11 players this summer, albeit some are playing elsewhere this season like Estevao Willian at Palmeiras, but their business may not be done yet.
Chelsea have Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku and 18-year-old Marc Guiu as their main options to play up front and Enzo Maresca wants to add another option if possible.
Napoli meanwhile have agreed a £25m deal with Manchester United for midfielder Scott McTominay.
Gourlay spent 16 months as CEO of Reading before joining West Brom in February 2022 – but may pull the wool over Boehly’s eyes yet.
Chelsea ratings vs Wolves: Madueke and Palmer on fire as Blues run riot... but Mudryk has shocker
NONI MADUEKE bagged himself a second-half hat-trick courtesy of Cole Palmer as Chelsea fired to a 6-2 victory away at Wolves.
Palmer’s three assists and first half strike capped off a wonderful afternoon for the England ace and a game that at times resembled a basketball match.
Here’s how SunSports’ Katherine Walsh rated the Blues stars…
Robert Sanchez – 7/10
Solid display. Held firm and kept Wolves at bay in the first half.
Brilliant long ball distribution cross-pitch to Jackson who assisted Palmer’s goal and Chelsea’s second.
Malo Gusto – 5
Out of position for Matheus Cunha’s 26th minute equaliser and didn’t get forward enough.
Failed to have an influence on the game after a quieter second 45 minutes from Wolves.
Wesley Fofana – 6
Had his back to goal for Wolves’ second equaliser before half-time.
The ball had been guided in by a free-kick and Jorgen Strand-Larsen cleverly guided it home with his right foot.
Levi Colwill – 6
Not a particularly noticeable performance from the 21-year-old in a positive or negative sense.
Suppose it was a solid showing but was also caught ball watching for Cunha’s goal.
Pulled Cucurella away from the third brawl of the match.
Marc Cucurella – 6
Worked hard and found himself centre of multiple fights with Wolves players throughout the 90.
Solid as ever, needing to be alert with Wolves lethal in the first half.
Moises Caicedo – 6
Quiet afternoon for the midfielder. Didn’t do much right or wrong.
Enzo Fernandez – 7
Often in the right place at the right time after clearing two Wolves’ attempts from inside the box.
Battled to win the ball for Madueke’s third goal and frequently recovered possession for the visitors.
Cole Palmer – 9
A brilliant goal and THREE assists finished off a sensational performance from the No10 position.
Somehow managed to outshine hat-trick scorer Madueke after providing all of his goals. His own notch came against the run of play just after receiving a yellow.
Picked up the ball 20 yards from goal after a long Sanchez kick and lobbed Wolves keeper Jose Sa just when the visitors were hanging on.
Mykhailo Mudryk – 4
Enzo Marseca said he needed time and coaching to get his Chelsea career on track. But failed to make an impact against Wolves.
Didn’t notice him being shipped off at half-time for former Wolves star Pedro Neto.
Noni Madueke – 9
The star man scored THREE in the second half after bagging against Servette on Thursday.
Chelsea’s best player in the first half. The young winger has bundles of ability and energy.
Looked lively and won several free-kicks in promising positions.
Worth a note that he silenced the home fans who were heavily booing him throughout after his social media comments earlier today.
Nicolas Jackson – 8
Opened the scoring with a post header inside two minutes.
But let himself down with silly antics while arguing with Cunha twice.
Most non-penalty goals for Chelsea in the Premier League since the start of last season: 15.
And assisted Palmer’s brilliant goal and Chelsea’s second.
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Pedro Neto 7
Put a shift in after coming on at half-time on his first return to the Molineux.
Bagged himself an assist in the 80th minute.
Joao Felix – 7
Scored on his Chelsea 2023/24 debut after joining from Atletico Madrid for £42.6m.
Combined with other new signing Neto for the goal.
Christopher Nkunku – N/A
Renato Veiga – N/A
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – N/A
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