Chelsea will look to secure a deal for Joao Felix worth around £40m, which would allow Conor Gallagher to complete his move to Atletico Madrid.
Gallagher’s move from Chelsea to Atletico is on the line after a deal was agreed allowing Samu Omorodion to move in the other direction at the weekend.
Gallagher has been in Spain since last week after striking a £33. 7m deal to leave Chelsea. But Chelsea will need him to return to England if Atletico close the signing.
Atletico’s decision to raise money by promoting Omorodion or Felix after shelling out £81m to sign Julian Alvarez from Manchester City on Monday.
After the deal with Omorodion fell through, Chelsea and Atletico temporarily replaced tactics to talk about a potential deal for Felix.
The 24-year-old Portuguese striker scored four goals in 20 games on loan at Chelsea in the second half of the 2022/23 season.
Former Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino did not consider Felix a long-term option, which is why the Blues did not make the decision to keep him last summer.
But Chelsea have now been presented with the opportunity to re-sign Felix, who was on loan last season at Barcelona and scored 10 goals in 44 appearances. He can play as a second striker, on the left wing and as a number 10.
Chelsea’s owners still hold Felix in high regard following his loan spell at Stamford Bridge and were temporarily open to a deal in light of Omorodion’s failed transfer. Talks with Atlético are expected to continue this week.
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Chelsea are still looking for striker characteristics and remain interested in Victor Osimhen if Napoli’s leaders are available on loan in the final weeks of the window. A deal for Felix won’t affect his preference for signing a new striker.
Gallagher is still close to signing for Atletico, provided the LaLiga club closes the sale.
While Gallagher was looking to remain at Chelsea and push for a long-term deal at his boyhood club, the 24-year-old is believed to be appreciating the veracity of his situation at Stamford Bridge.
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Gallagher is sure he would fit perfectly into Diego Simeone’s formula at Atletico, where his optimism, speed and attitude would find favour.
If Chelsea sign Felix, it would raise doubts about Raheem Sterling’s future. Juventus have been linked with a move for Sterling, but his salaries in excess of £300,000 per week may become an obstacle to a potential deal.
Chelsea may also be forced to heed offers from Noni Madueke if Felix joins and Sterling does not leave.
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