Chelsea transfer collapses at last minute but Fabrizio Romano immediately drops bombshell on stunning new target

One Chelsea deal is off, it has been reported – but a surprise deal is very much on.

Chelsea’s move for Atletico Madrid forward Samu Omorodion has collapsed – but the club are reportedly turning attention to a stunning new target, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Blues were targeting a move for the Nigeria forward even before news of Conor Gallagher’s impending move in the other direction.

Nicolas Jackson scored 14 goals in his debut Premier League season last year, but had little competition up front due to the injury to Christopher Nkunku which caused him to miss the majority of the campaign.

Chelsea have therefore made the signing of a striker a priority – but a move for Omorodion has fallen through.

According to El Chiringuito’s Marcos Benito, there were last-minute changes made to the 24-year-old’s contract which subsequently caused the transfer to collapse.

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And says that Chelsea will now make a stunning move for Napoli star Victor Osimhen – a player they have tracked for several transfer windows.

Osimhen was effectively deemed not for sale last summer after his 26-goal season helped Napoli to win Serie A, with the Italian club demanding around £200 million.

But while it would still cost upwards of under £100 million to secure his signature, The Sun claim that Napoli are willing to lower their asking price as a result of not qualifying for Europe at all for this season.

However, Osimhen is not their only target, with Romano claiming that there are talks over a potential return to Stamford Bridge for forward Joao Felix.

While it was stressed that the Omorodion and Gallagher deals were separate, Romano claims that Felix could form part of the arrangement that sees Gallagher join Atletico.

He wrote: “Chelsea and Atletico Madrid are now discussing Joao Felix to Chelsea as part of Gallagher deal!

 

Joao Felix in action for Chelsea -
Getty

“Samu Omorodion deal collapsing and the two clubs don’t want Gallagher and Julian Alvarez deals to collapse too.

“Joao Felix, being discussed with Jorge Mendes in London.”

Felix enjoyed mixed success at Chelsea during a loan spell in the 2022/23 season, getting sent off on his debut before scoring four goals in 16 Premier League games.

The Portugal international was on loan at Barcelona last season, netting seven goals in 30 appearances. Barca decided not to make the move permanent.