Chelsea are in talks with Atlético Madrid over a potential permanent transfer for João Félix after their move for the striker Samu Omorodion collapsed.
Félix, who spent six months on loan at Stamford Bridge in 2023, has emerged as a surprise target for Enzo Maresca’s side after they completed the signing of Pedro Neto at the weekend.
It is understood that Chelsea have held talks with Félix’s agent, Jorge Mendes, over a deal to re-sign the 24-year-old Portugal forward on a permanent deal after they failed to agree personal terms with Omorodion, with Atlético valuing him at around €50m (£43m).
A £34.5m fee for Omorodion – the Spain forward who was part of the gold medal-winning squad at the Olympics – had already been agreed with Atlético. But it remains to be seen whether that has any effect on the Spanish club’s move for Conor Gallagher despite the England midfielder being pictured in Madrid last week completing his medical. Atlético are poised to announce the signing of Julián Álvarez from Manchester City for a deal worth up to €95m (£81.5m) and were banking on the sale of Omorodion to fund their move for Gallagher.
Félix was also linked with Aston Villa in the summer and is believed to be open to returning to London despite a difficult spell on loan during which he scored four times in 20 appearances after being sent off on his debut against Fulham.
Chelsea could now decide to push ahead with their interest in Victor Osimhen, who they could sign on loan from Napoli. The Italian club have agreed personal terms for a three-year deal with Romelu Lukaku but have yet to match Chelsea’s valuation for the Belgium striker.
There could be more departures in the coming weeks if Félix is signed, with the forwards Raheem Sterling and Noni Madueke among the potential departures.
Aston Villa are contenders to sign Trevoh Chalobah after he was barred from using first-team facilities at Chelsea’s training ground. The 25-year-old defender is expected to cost around £25m and could replace Diego Carlos – who has interest from Fulham – at Villa Park, although Villa have also held talks with Feyenoord over the Netherlands international Lutsharel Geertruida.
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Crystal Palace have also shown an interest in Chalobah but are expected to sign either Wolfsburg’s Maxence Lacroix or Odilon Kossounou from Bayer Leverkusen should Marc Guéhi join Newcastle. Palace are believed to be considering a third bid exceeding the £50m offer they rejected from Newcastle last week and could decide to compromise on their £65m valuation of the England defender.