Al-Ahli ‘could PULL OUT of Osimhen transfer over anger at Napoli raising fee’ in fresh hope for last-ditch Chelsea deal
CHELSEA’S Victor Osimhen pursuit could be back on with Al-Ahli fuming at Napoli.
The Saudi Pro League outfit agreed a deal worth around £67million to sign the Nigerian striker, 25.
But Sky Sports are reporting that Napoli raised their asking price overnight – with angry Al-Ahli chiefs refusing to budge.
The Saudi outfit are also working on a deal for Brentford’s Ivan Toney and cannot sign both.
That would clear the way for Chelsea to try and land Osimhen.
The hotshot’s staggering £500,000-a-week demands are likely to prove a huge stumbling block, however.
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has introduced a wage structure, relying on long-term deals with smaller salaries to tempt stars into moves.
And The Athletic claim Stamford Bridge chiefs are waiting to see if Osimhen, who is keen on a London switch, will agree an incentive-based package.
Chelsea have drawn up a three-man shortlist as Enzo Maresca looks to add more firepower before the window slams shut,
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is in the last year of his contract and with no sign of him agreeing a new deal, would be difficult for Everton to hold onto.
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Chelsea reportedly remain in talks to sign Victor Osimhen from Napoli, with time running out for the Blues to complete a deal.
Meanwhile, Ivan Toney is expected to join Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli, according to reports.
Elsewhere, Newcastle are set to walk away from their long-running pursuit of Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi.
In other news, Chelsea and Juventus remain in discussions over a deal for Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho ahead of the 11pm deadline.
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He could be available for £20m – half the current value of Brentford’s England front man Toney.
Another player on Chelsea’s radar is Brighton’s Evan Ferguson.
Finally, the Blues could consider a late return for Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran.
The hitman held talks with Blues chiefs earlier this summer.
He then looked set for a move to West Ham but remains at Villa Park.
Duran apologised to Villa fans after scoring a late winner against the Hammers.
The strike came weeks after he teased a move to the London Stadium by performing an Irons gesture.
Where will they get changed? Jamie Carragher's huge Chelsea rant
PREMIER LEAGUE legend Jamie Carragher let rip at Chelsea's transfer market activity, going on an epic rant about the west Londoners…
He told Sky Sports: “Chelsea have just got to stop buying players and players have got to stop signing for Chelsea.
“If I was a player and look at Chelsea, why would you sign?
“The only reason you’d sign is because someone might say – your agent might say – ‘We’re getting a seven-year deal’.
“You know what I’d say? ‘Back yourself as a player, sign a four-year deal at a proper club and back yourself to do well’.
“And then when you’re due for renewal your money goes up anyway.
“I don’t understand why you’d sign a seven-year deal. Back yourself.”
He continued: “All players need competition. But every team I played in there were seven or eight players who knew they were playing every week.
“Then you’ve got six or seven players who are fighting for three positions, and then you’ve got another six players who know they are squad players.”
And of the Blues’ swollen array of talent, Carragher asked: “Where are they going to fit in the changing room?
“How are you going to put on a training session.”