Abraham plays hardball over new Chelsea deal with eye-watering demands

Tammy Abraham is demanding £180,000-a-week to pledge his long-term future to Chelsea, reports The Athletic.

The England international has just over two years remaining on his existing Chelsea deal and Frank Lampard's side want to reward the striker with improved terms.

Abraham has cemented himself as Chelsea's first-choice striker under Lampard this term but  his current contract does not reflect his status at the club.

There were doubts whether the 22-year-old was capable of leading the line for a club like Chelsea after previously underwhelming in the Premier League out on loan.

Abraham scored 13 goals in 25 league matches for Chelsea before football was postponed due to the worldwide outbreak of COVID-19.

Due to a persistent ankle proble, Abraham only managed to feature in three of Chelsea's final eight matches in all competitions.

Despite the fact Chelsea wanted to sign a new striker in January, Abraham remains at the forefront of the club's plans going forward and a new deal is in the works.

However, Chelsea have hit a snag over talks with Abraham's representatives over wage demands.

Chelsea handed Callum Hudson-Odoi a mouthwatering contract worth at the start of the season to ward off interest from Bayern Munich.

Hudson-Odoi reportedly penned terms on a basic salary of £120,000-a-week, with a further £60,000-a-week available through performance related bonuses.

The 19-year-old has struggled with injuries over the last 12 months and Abraham's camp believe his performances justify similar wages.