Chelsea’s
proposed deal for Atletico Madrid forward Samu Omorodion has collapsed,
throwing Conor Gallagher's transfer into doubt.
Chelsea had agreed a £34.5m deal for the striker, enabling Gallagher to move
in the opposite direction for £36m on a five-year contract. The midfielder
completed his medical last week and was pictured by Atletico visiting the
club's Wanda Metropolitano stadium.
However, Omorodion's move is now off following contractual issues, with
Chelsea and Atletico working on a return to London for Joao Felix, who spent
time on loan at Stamford Bridge in 2023, to try and save the deal.
Omorodion's departure would have meant Atletico needed a replacement and
they had agreed an £82m deal for Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez. As
far as City are concerned, they still expect the Alvarez transfer to go
through.
Alvarez is thought to have arrived in Madrid to undergo a medical after
finishing his post-Copa America holiday.
Atletico agreed to pay £64m (€75m) up front with a further £17m (€20m) of
potential add-ons for Alvarez, which would have been a record sale for City
and a huge profit on the £14m they paid River Plate for the Argentina
forward in January 2022.
Chelsea unveiled their 10th summer signing on Sunday in Wolves winger Pedro
Neto, who has joined in a £52m deal.
The Blues have already added Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Filip Jorgensen, Omari
Kellyman, Aaron Anselmino, Renato Veiga, Caleb Wiley, Marc Guiu and Tosin
Adarabioyo during this transfer window,
A deal has also been done for Palmeiras teenager Estevao Willian, who will
not arrive until next summer.
Omorodion scored eight goals in 35 LaLiga appearances last season while on
loan at Deportivo Alaves.
Chelsea did not find a consensus with Gallagher over new contract terms to
keep him at Stamford Bridge.
Two other top-six Premier League clubs asked Chelsea about Gallagher, who
rejected a move to Aston Villa after a bid was accepted while there was also
interest from Tottenham.
Meanwhile, Armando Broja is "ready to move" to Stuttgart, who are in early
talks to sign the Chelsea striker, reports Sky Germany.
Sky Sports News reported this summer that Broja is on the shortlists at
Everton and Southampton among others.
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