Norwegian talent Antonio Nusa comments on a mammoth Chelsea offer that arrived, with the player keen on being patient with his future.
Who is Antonio Nusa? The 18-year-old Norwegian prodigy with the world at his feet, plying his trade with Belgian side Club Brugge. He’s still only learning the ropes of top-level football but has the ingredients to become a top player in the future.
Recently, Chelsea held an interest in the Norwegian talent, but before the Blues came into the picture, only some knew him. In any case, Chelsea reportedly offered around 350 million Kroner, slightly shy of £26 million.
The speculation says that considering Chelsea came in with such a large offer; there were chances of them revisiting with a larger bid. Reports from Norway assume the Blues might have gone up to 400 million Kroner, slightly north of £30 million.
Had he moved to Chelsea, Nusa may have become the second most expensive Norwegian behind Erling Haaland and on par with Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard. However, the 18-year-old forward rejected the approach and remained with the Belgian side for now.
Chelsea will keep monitoring Antonio Nusa as 2005 born winger considered top talent 🔵✨ #CFC
Chelsea scouts will keep tracking him in the next months after formal proposal rejected on Deadline Day.
Bid was around €30m package. pic.twitter.com/Yzbg7w7Wfw
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 7, 2023
In an interview with Norwegian outlet TV2, Nusa highlights the time around the Chelsea offer and why he chose to remain where he was. He explained the reasons and said he wanted to stay patient with his career as another quick move may have unsettled him in his early years.
Nusa said, “For the first time, there was a concrete offer that made Club Brugge think. The sum was so staggering that they at least had to do another round of me, the youngster.”
“We had to have another conversation when the money arrived, but we were on the same page, so there was no problem there. I knew what to do anyway, so it was fine, says Nusa with a shrug.”
“How can you be so determined about what you are going to do, when such an insane offer comes from such a club?”
“I want to be a footballer, but not just a footballer . I and those around me want to create the best career possible. I have to make the right choices. I went to Bruges. It happened very quickly, I left suddenly. Now I’m in a situation where I want the next step, when it happens, to be something I’ve really thought through. I want to find what is right for me. It is important to me. I think about what is best for me.”
“What do you think when you read and hear “400 million kroner”? “It is a lot of money. Much money. But I try not to think about it too much. I can’t focus on it, like. I don’t think it’s good for me, says Nusa.”
Had Nusa joined Chelsea in the summer, he could have become a part of a large squad of young and potentially talented footballers the club brought in the last three windows. The Blues might return with a new approach for Nusa in the coming time, even in January, although now other clubs might also try to sign him up.
