Chelsea Transfer News Roundup: Blues working on Victor Osimhen deal, club eager to sort Conor Gallagher situation, and more - August 4, 2024
Chelsea are hoping to turn over a new leaf under Enzo Maresca next season. The Blues endured a disappointing 2023/24 campaign under Mauricio Pochettino and have since appointed Maresca as the Argentinean's replacement.
Meanwhile, the London giants are working on a deal to take Victor Osimhen to Stamford Bridge this summer. Elsewhere, the club remain keen to offload Conor Gallagher.
On that note, let's look at the major Chelsea transfer stories from August 4, 2024.
Chelsea working on Victor Osimhen deal
Chelsea remain in talks to sign Victor Osimhen this summer, according to Football Insider. The Nigerian striker is a wanted man this summer, despite signing a new deal with Napoli last year.
Osimhen is among the finest strikers in the world at the moment and powered the Italian club to the Serie A title in the 2022/23 campaign. While he wasn't in his element last season, the 25-year-old still managed 17 goals and four assists from 32 games.
The Blues are in the market for a new striker this summer and the Nigerian is their preferred target. Meanwhile, it has also been reported that Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have their eyes on Osimhen as a possible replacement for Kylian Mbappe.
However, Napoli are protected by a €130m release clause in the player's contract, which none of his suitors are willing to exercise. The London giants are eager to include Romelu Lukaku in their proposal to sweeten the deal.
The Belgian is wanted at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium by new manager Antonio Conte, which could work in Chelsea's favour. However, it won't be a straightforward swap, with Lukaku currently valued at around €30m. The Blues may still have to offer a sizeable fee, along with the 31-year-old, to convince the Serie A club.
Blues eager to sort Conor Gallagher situation
Chelsea are eager to find a solution to Conor Gallagher's situation before the end of the summer, according to acclaimed journalist Fabrizio Romano. The Englishman has entered the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge and is reluctant to sign a new deal.
The Blues would like the player to stay but are willing to cash in on him owing to his contract situation. They have already struck a €40m deal with Atletico Madrid, who are looking to take the 24-year-old to Spain. However, Gallagher is yet to make a decision regarding the move.
In his column for Caught Offside, Romano added that Los Rojiblancos held positive talks with the player on Saturday.
“Atletico Madrid want an answer from Conor Gallagher by the end of the weekend after having their €40m proposal accepted by Chelsea. The Premier League club don’t want to lose another big player on a free transfer after it happened in the past with Antonio Rudiger. The Blues want Gallagher to join Atleti this summer, but it all depends on the player, with positive talks occurring on Saturday,” wrote Romano.
Romano added that Gallagher has turned down three renewal offers from the London giants this summer.
“Gallagher has had a new contract offered to him three times but he has decided not to sign a new deal at Stamford Bridge. The midfielder has his own reasons for this and only he knows what he wants for his future, which we will all know soon," wrote Romano.
He continued:
“Chelsea want to find a solution for Gallagher and it is their priority to get it done this month, with all parties confident it will be. They are determined not to lose the England international for nothing in one year when his contract expires.”
Gallagher also has admirers at Tottenham Hotspur, but a move across London looks unlikely at the moment.
Chelsea transfer policy slammed by former Belgian international
Former Belgian international Franky Van der Elst has slammed Chelsea for signing KRC Genk goalkeeper Mike Penders. The 19-year-old is apparently on his way to Stamford Bridge after the Blues agreed a €20m deal with the Belgian club.
Enzo Maresca has already signed Filip Jorgensen from Villarreal this summer to strengthen his goalkeeping position. The Italian manager also has Robert Sanchez in his roster and Kepa Arrizabalaga - who spent last season on loan at Real Madrid - is expected to leave.
Speaking to Het Nieuwsblad, as cited by HITC, Van der Elst insisted that the London giants' transfer policy isn't good for football.
“To read right after his first official match for Genk that he is on his way to Chelsea – and for such an amount – that is shocking. (This sort of transfer activity is) unprecedented. Maybe even unheard of. What Chelsea is doing now – buying, buying, buying and then hoping that one of the many transfers will pay off – I really do not think is good for football," said Van der Elst.
He continued:
“Chelsea has seven or eight goalkeepers, right? They just paid €25 million euros for Filip Jorgensen, who is also a young goalkeeper three years older than Penders and has already played for Villarreal’s first team for a season. So he will definitely have priority in the near future.”
An official confirmation for Penders' move is still pending.