Chelsea are reportedly in negotiations to bring Joao Felix back from Atletico Madrid after a £35 million deal for Samu Omorodion fell apart unexpectedly last night.
The 20-year-old Spanish striker, who was instrumental in Spain’s Olympic victory in Paris, has already agreed to a seven-year contract with Stamford Bridge.
Despite a £34.5 million agreed agreement, Omorodion’s transfer collapsed on Sunday night because of serious problems with completing his contract.
Fabrizio Romano then revealed that Chelsea had started talks with Atletico Madrid about a possible Felix deal, since the La Liga team could have to let go of a player to make room for Julian Alvarez.
This development leaves Chelsea starting the Premier League season without the striker they had been seeking.
Additionally, it casts doubt on two significant transfers involving Atletico Madrid. The Spaniards were close to signing Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher for £34 million, a move that would help alleviate PSR concerns in west London.
Related: Man City’s Julian Alvarez Set for Historic Transfer to Atletico Madrid
A £75 million deal for Manchester City’s striker Julian Alvarez was also in the works, with both transfers apparently depending on Omorodion’s move to Chelsea.
Chelsea and Atletico Madrid Discuss Joao Felix Return Amid Transfer Frenzy
However, Fabrizio Romano reports that a new strategy has been found to keep these transfers alive. It remains uncertain whether Joao Felix’s potential move would be a loan or a permanent transfer.
Joao Felix might be eager for a second stint at Chelsea, especially with possession-focused Enzo Maresca as the manager.
Despite this, Aston Villa are determined to pursue Felix and hope that the allure of Champions League football can sway him to join them—though only if Atletico Madrid accepts their current £27 million offer.
Atletico would be willing to trade Felix for about €50 million, according to a recent report from Ben Jacobs. The teams are presently in talks to see whether Felix may return to Stamford Bridge.
According to Spanish journalist Eduardo Burgos, Felix’s future is probably in London, where Chelsea would be willing to spend £8.5 million more than Omorodion would have.
Burgos said that Felix, who was eager to come to Stamford Bridge last summer, had a bid of €50 million prepared by Villa.
But at that particular moment, Mauricio Pochettino opted not to bring the Portuguese international back.
It’s believed that Atletico Madrid and Chelsea are now discussing terms for the Portuguese forward Felix, who is also a target for Aston Villa.
The £113 million-rated player scored four goals in 16 appearances during a brief loan spell under Graham Potter and Frank Lampard in the 2022/23 season.
The 24-year-old moved on loan to Barcelona last season after spending the second half of the 2022–2023 season at Chelsea, where he scored four goals in 20 appearances.
A transfer away seems almost certain, with his future at Atletico Madrid looking increasingly bleak.
Should Chelsea complete this transaction, it would highlight how erratic their transfer policy is—anything is possible.
Victor Osimhen of Napoli is another player Chelsea is anticipated to pursue further, hoping to sign him on loan with a permanent purchase option.
Napoli, meanwhile, have already agreed on a three-year deal with Chelsea’s out-of-favor forward Romelu Lukaku, who can leave if his £38 million release clause is met.
However, Napoli is reluctant to make a bid until they can offload Osimhen with a commitment to purchase.
This situation might give Paris Saint-Germain the upper hand in the race to sign Osimhen, as they are actively searching for a replacement for Kylian Mbappe.
