Chelsea midfielder ‘seeking pay rise’ in line with £150k p/w club captain ahead of contract expiring in 2023

It could turn out to be an exceptionally busy few months behind the scenes for Chelsea with several first team players contracts due to expire at the end of the current season.

Graham Potter will take charge of his first transfer window as Blues boss in January and has already been linked with bringing in new faces. However, just as important will be deciding which of his out of contract stars still have a future at Stamford Bridge and subsequently tying them down on long term deals. One of the key figures who the clubs are currently negotiating with, and who is expected to be one of the names they are most keen to keep a hold of, is midfielder Jorginho.

The Italian will see his current deal end in 2023 and the Evening Standard are reporting that the player and the club are apart when it comes to his salary. It is claimed that the former Napoli man is holding out for a salary of £150k per week which would bring him in line with club captain César Azpilicueta . However, the club’s initial offer is said to be short of that and comes in ar £120k per week which is similar to his current salary.

Although they haven’t been able to come to an agreement yet, it is also reported that both Jorginho and midfield partner N’Golo Kante are keen to remain at Stamford Bridge. The Frenchman is also out of contract next summer and both players will be free to talk to foreign clubs from January onwards. Negotiations with Kante are said to have stalled over the length of a new contract offer, as opposed to his teammate’s issue with salary.

Jorginho is the current vice-captain at Stamford Bridge and has made 14 appearances across all competitions this season while scoring two goals. He was signed by Maurizio Sarri in the summer of 2018 and has been a key player under predecessors Frank Lampard, Thomas Tuchel and now Graham Potter. The Euro 2020 winner will turn 31-years old in December just a few days before the transfer window opens.