Chelsea set to seal £35m deal for Atletico Madrid star - Fabrizio Romano
Chelsea have an agreement in place with Atletico Madrid over the transfer of 20-year-old striker Samu Omorodion, as per Fabrizio Romano. The Spanish youngster will join the Blues as part of a transfer domino involving both sides and Manchester City this summer.
A big, burly striker, Omorodion has been a major transfer target for the Blues this summer after impressing in the 2023-24 season. The young striker spent the season on loan at Alaves from Atletico Madrid, and he scored eight goals and provided an assist in 34 league appearances. He had earlier made one league appearance in the colors of Granada, scoring once on the first Matchday of the season before signing for Atleti.
Chelsea made multiple attempts to sign Samu Omorodion this summer without much success as Atletico Madrid seemed keen on keeping hold of him. Los Colchoneros lost Alvaro Morata this summer and seemed set to turn to Omorodion as their first-choice striker for the 2024-25 season.
Fabrizio Romano has reported that the Blues have now found an agreement with Diego Simeone's side over the 20-year-old striker. They will pay around £35 million to land him and have a seven-year contract in place for him to join them after the Olympic Games. Omorodion is presently with the Spain U-23 side who will face France in the final of the Games.
The breakthrough in negotiations came after the Spanish club managed to agree on a deal to sign Julian Alvarez from Manchester City. Chelsea also agreed to sell midfielder Conor Gallagher to Los Colchoneros in a separate deal, as well.
If the deal goes through, Samu Omorodion will be the seventh permanent addition to the Blues' squad this summer. Enzo Maresca's side have already signed Tosin Adarabioyo, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Omari Kellyman, Renato Veiga, Marc Guiu, and Filip Jorgensen this summer.
Chelsea youngster seals loan switch to Championship side
Chelsea defender Alfie Gilchrist has signed a season-long loan deal with Sheffield United until the end of the 2024-25 season. The young defender gained prominence in the 2023-24 season after he emerged as a versatile option for the Blues at the back.
A Chelsea academy graduate, Gilchrist won the club's Young Player of the Year award at the end of the 2023-24 season in recognition of his contribution. He played 17 times under Mauricio Pochettino in a variety of defensive positions, showing great endeavor when called upon.
Gilchrist will be part of the Blades team that looks to make an immediate return to the top flight after their relegation at the end of the 2023-24 season. The English defender is in line to make his debut against Preston North End in the season opener on August 9th.