Wage demands mean Chelsea struggling to offload Werner, Kepa

The revolving door at Stamford Bridge could face a potential slow down with the growing wage disparity between the Premier League and the rest of Europe’s top five leagues.

Premier League clubs dominate lists of the highest wage spenders in European football and since Roman Abramovich’s takeover, Chelsea have long been a prominent figure in that regard.

In a changing marketplace, however, moving players this season has become a trickier task.

TOP STORY – WERNER, KEPA STAYING PUT AT CHELSEA

Chelsea are struggling to move Timo Werner and Kepa Arrizabalaga among other players due to wage demands, according to The Telegraph.

The Blues are also finding it tricky to move Michy Batshuayi and Ross Barkley, despite the club’s desire to accommodate potential signings.

Werner has seen the Blues search for attackers this off-season and could potentially be joining Romelu Lukaku out the door, while Kepa has notably been Edouard Mendy’s understudy.

Finding a suitable club for the two has the potential to be difficult, however, with both being brought in on lucrative wages.

“I focus on the players who are there and they are doing really well. They are in good shape and I have further focus on that and develop that. I cannot wait for him to come in and then we will integrate him.”

United return to England next week before facing off against Atletico Madrid in Oslo at the end of July. They will conclude their pre-season fixtures with a game against Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford, before opening their 2022/23 Premier League campaign against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday 7 August.