Frank Christian
Chelsea is gearing up for significant changes in their squad for the upcoming 2024/25 Premier League season with the potential return of Joao Felix to Stamford Bridge.
The club is actively working on several transfer deals to strengthen Enzo Maresca’s options and streamline their squad while managing the wage bill.
One of the latest developments includes a failed €40m ($44m) deal to acquire Spanish U21 international Samu Omorodion from Atletico Madrid, rumored to be due to a medical issue.
This setback has led to a shift in plans, bringing Felix back into the equation as Atletico seeks to alter the terms of their deal for Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher.
With Omorodion staying in Madrid, Atletico has proposed a player-swap deal to facilitate Gallagher’s move to the Spanish capital without any transfer fee.
This exchange would enable Diego Simeone to secure Gallagher’s transfer and unload Felix, who has expressed his desire to leave Estadio Metropolitano.
Simeone needs to balance the books after spending €95 million ($103.7m) to acquire Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid.
Sorry, our graphic designers are out pic.twitter.com/ZeBEfIDAng
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) August 12, 2024
Despite an inconsistent performance under Simeone, Chelsea believes they can reignite Felix’s potential, especially after his four EPL goals during his loan spell with the Blues in the second half of the 2022/23 season.
Reports suggest that the return of Felix could lead to departures for Romelu Lukaku and Raheem Sterling, as indicated by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
Chelsea will also work on outgoings in the next days.
Lukaku expected to join Napoli, Raheem Sterling can leave if João Félix returns.
As revealed, Noni Madueke one to watch in case of good bids with Newcastle interested.
Diego Moreira considering Strasbourg loan. pic.twitter.com/ndX3qp979V
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 12, 2024
Although Lukaku had a successful loan spell at AS Roma last season with 13 Serie A goals, Napoli is nearing a deal for the Belgian striker while Sterling is attracting interest from Juventus.
If Felix joins as part of a swap for Gallagher, Chelsea’s financial compliance in the Premier League would improve, and offloading Lukaku and Sterling would further solidify their financial position in the league.
