Chelsea Transfer News Roundup: Blues eyeing Celtic ace, club yet to agree Victor Osimhen deal, and more - August 5, 2024
Chelsea are looking to bring in the right players this summer to help them overcome last season's disappointment. The Blues finished sixth in the Premier League, ended the campaign without silverware and have since replaced former manager Mauricio Pochettino with Enzo Maresca.
Meanwhile, the London giants have set their sights on a Celtic midfielder. Elsewhere, the Premier League side are yet to make progress in their efforts to sign Victor Osimhen this summer.
On that note, let's look at the major Chelsea transfer stories from August 5, 2024.
Chelsea eyeing Matt O'Riley
Chelsea have identified Matt O'Riley as a possible replacement for Conor Gallagher, according to Sky Sports. The English midfielder has entered the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge and hasn't agreed to a new deal.
The Blues have already submitted three contract renewal offers for the 24-year-old, but they have all been rejected. The club have offered him two-year deals with an option for an additional year, as they are unsure of his suitability under Enzo Maresca.
However, Gallagher wants a long-term contract to stay in London. Meanwhile, Chelsea have already accepted Atletico Madrid's £34m bid for the Englishman and only the player's green signal is awaited. The 24-year-old is expected to make a decision soon.
The Blues have signed Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall this summer and are well stocked in the middle of the park. However, they still want to move for O'Riley if Gallagher leaves.
The Danish midfielder registered 19 goals and 18 assists from 49 games for Celtic last season. The 23-year-old is under contract with the Scottish champions until 2027.
Blues yet to agree Victor Osimhen deal, says Fabrizio Romano
Chelsea are yet to agree to a deal for Victor Osimhen, according to acclaimed journalist Fabrizio Romano. The Nigerian striker has emerged as a priority target for the Blues this summer.
Osimhen is one of the finest in his position in the world and could transform Enzo Maresca's attack. However, he apparently has a €130m release clause in his contract with Napoli, which makes a move difficult to complete.
Recent reports have suggested that the London giants are planning to offer Romelu Lukaku as part of their proposal to sweeten the deal. A loan move this summer with an option to buy next year could also be a solution.
However, speaking on his Playback channel, Romano insisted that the 25-year-old has no desire to leave on a temporary deal.
“From what I’m told, I don’t think it’s going to be a situation resolved today, tonight, Monday or Tuesday. It’s going to take some time to understand what happens between Napoli and Chelsea, because as of today, Osimhen and his agent have no intention to go on loan," said Romano.
He continued:
“Chelsea know that Napoli will return for Romelu Lukaku, and they know that conversations will continue. But at the moment, the issue is not Napoli. The issue is the player. Napoli are prepared to sell Osimhen, but the player doesn’t want to go on loan.”
Osimhen also has admirers at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), who have reportedly identified him as Kylian Mbappe's replacement.
Marc Guiu opens up on Stamford Bridge move
Marc Guiu has insisted that he didn't move to Stamford Bridge to earn a big contract. The Spanish striker left Barcelona this summer to join Chelsea.
The London giants have targeted talented young footballers of late and Guiu is their latest acquisition. They triggered the player's €5m release clause and the 18-year-old apparently turned down a contract renewal offer from the Catalans to complete a move.
Speaking recently, as cited by the BBC, Guiu insisted that the opportunity to join the Blues was too hard to turn down.
“It was not an issue with my contract. I’ve always dreamt of playing in the Premier League and Chelsea is a great club with a lot of history. It was a tough decision but it was an amazing opportunity, so I had to go for it,” said Guiu.
Guiu added that he has had a conversation with Enzo Maresca regarding his role in the squad.
“I’m just focused on the pre-season tour, doing my best and that’s what I can say. But [Chelsea head coach Enzo] Maresca told me there was an amazing sporting project full of young talent, that he wanted me to be a part of it and that he had a lot of faith in me and my skills and capabilities," said Guiu.
He continued:
“I think I’m ready. We work very hard every day both on and off the pitch, on the physical aspect and the practical. So I think I’m ready to be on the pitch and help the team when I’m needed.”
Guiu has been heavily involved under Maresca in pre-season, already racking up one goal and one assist.