Liverpool mirrored Chelsea's transfer stance on Victor Osimhen wage demands

Feargal Brennan

Liverpool mirrored Chelsea's transfer stance on Victor Osimhen wage demands image

Liverpool reportedly opted against a late move to sign Napoli star Victor Osimhen in the final hours of the summer transfer window.

As the Premier League deadline came and went on August 30, Liverpool head into the new campaign with just one new face in their ranks, after a swoop to bring in Federico Chiesa from Juventus.

A deal was also agreed for Valencia goal keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili but the Georgian international will remain on loan at the Spanish giants for the 2024/25 campaign.

MORE: All the latest Liverpool news | Premier League schedule for 2024/25 | Latest Premier League top scorer rankings

Arne Slot's positive start to the season continued over the weekend, via a dominant 3-0 win at Manchester United, and they head into the international break with a 100% winning record.

Slot was open about his desire to bring in new players, but he refused to be rushed, and the chaos surrounding Osimhn did not convince him.

As per reports from Italian outlet Correire dello Sport, Liverpool were ready to replace Chelsea as the Premier League side pushing for the 25-year-old, but salary demands were the key issue.

The Nigerian international is currently the highest-earning player in Serie A, with an €11m ($12.7m) annual salary, but neither Liverpool or Chelsea were willing to match that, and the striker wanted to at least maintain his current wage.

Osimhen has been frozen out of Antonio Conte's plans since indicating his desire to leave the club earlier this summer but they could not agree an exit package.

Sporting Director Giovanni Manna claimed he is unlikely to make a move to the Saudi Pro League, after Al Ahli did not meet their valuation, and instead brought in Ivan Toney from Brentford.

Feargal Brennan

Feargal Brennan Photo

Feargal is a content producer for The Sporting News. He has been working with TSN since the start of 2022 after stints with Reach, Amazon UK and Squawka in a nomadic career in the football media pyramid. Always with a keen eye on Arteta's 'Reds' and Kenny's Ireland 'Greens' and a 100% five-a-side penalty record.